The Ford Barn

Tom Wesenberg · 08-06-2015, 08:44 AM

A guy with a 1940 Studebaker President was having overheating problems and was talking about installing an electric fan. I suggested that wouldn't help, as he most likely has radiator and engine block cooling chamber problems. He posted this today:

"I pulled the side coolant cover off to get a look, and sure enough there was a rusty muddy gunk that filled up about 4" of the lower portion of the coolant passages. I ran a hose to get some of it out and I can see it built up towards the back. Water pump will be coming off after work today."

He sure is lucky to have such an easy cleanout for the block. I sure wish Model A blocks were so easy to clean and inspect.

I'm posting this just as a reminder to be sure the block is thoroughly cleaned, as well as the radiator, since loss of coolant and overheating seem to be the leading problems with Model A's.

mshmodela · 08-06-2015, 10:52 AM

Tom, That's one COOL HUGE CAR:

https://myclassicgarage.com/marketpl.../media/1111479

marc hildebrant · 08-06-2015, 03:51 PM

I wonder why they designed the block in that manner ?

Was it a casting reason ? Design for possible freeze damage ?

Marc

Tom Wesenberg · 08-06-2015, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc hildebrant

I wonder why they designed the block in that manner ?

Was it a casting reason ? Design for possible freeze damage ?

Marc

Here's the answer in reply #27.

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...ats#post936008

ppower · 08-07-2015, 03:36 AM

What is the best way to remove the rusty scale which accumulates in the water jacket? A screw driver through the various holes can reach some of it and dropping the engine face down onto a concrete floor dislodges some more. Is there a chemical treatment which will loosen the deposit rather that treat it and maybe bind it tighter to the jacket sides and bottom?

Tom Wesenberg · 08-07-2015, 09:07 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

To remove the rust flakes, I'd start with a long thin screwdriver to chip away all you can reach, then use an old speedometer cable or thin steel cable with the end frayed to make a cleaning brush. Chuck this into a drill and whip it around in each hole, then use a thin blow gun to reach down each of the holes and blow away the crud. When the engine is out of the car with the head off, I'd turn it upside down and blow out the crud. After this it would be good to block off the coolant intake hole and fill the block with Evaporust for a few days. then rinse it clean, and in the future use antifreeze.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-07-2015, 09:36 AM

Friend, Claude, cleaned out a decent looking Flathead V-8, with the methods Tom talked about.
You can't IMAGINE the crap he got out!! RUST, CASTING?? SAND, CASTING WIRES, ETC.---On old engines, once a year backflushing is a MUST!!--HOT TANKING doesn't get it ALL out.
Bill W.
Bill W.

Terry, NJ · 08-07-2015, 09:49 AM

There is also vinegar which will clean it out also. But make sure your radiator is in good shape. In the 60s, we used to use Bon Ami if I recall correctly. It was some household product. Put whatever in and take it for a ride and get it out! Then replace with 50/50 anti freeze.
Terry

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-07-2015, 10:01 AM

BON-AMI is a glass cleaner???
Bill W.

katy · 08-07-2015, 10:05 AM

Bon Ami is scouring powder.

katy · 08-07-2015, 10:08 AM

The flathead 60HP V-8s had plates like that on both sides.

40 Deluxe · 08-07-2015, 11:34 AM

katy, But not removable!

Terry, NJ · 08-07-2015, 12:50 PM

You're absolutely right! OH My Memory! I think I might have Al zen hemers or something! Some days it just doesn't pay........ Well, it was some household cleaning product! None of us had any money so we were always sniffing around for "Dual use" products.
Terry

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

Bon Ami is scouring powder.

Tom Wesenberg · 08-07-2015, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

You're absolutely right! OH My Memory! I think I might have Al zen hemers or something! Some days it just doesn't pay........ Well, it was some household cleaning product! None of us had any money so we were always sniffing around for "Dual use" products.
Terry

I seem to recall Sani-Flush being used, and wonder if that's what you had in mind. I know it was said to be a powerful cleaner, but EPA has dumbed down all the good products to the point where most of them are useless.

Jeff in BC · 08-08-2015, 09:29 PM

Here ya go Tom, from 1935.

Jeff

Tom Wesenberg · 08-08-2015, 09:43 PM

Thanks Jeff..........and it's only 25 cents for the large size.

MikeK · 08-08-2015, 10:20 PM

All about Sani-Flush LINK

updraught · 08-08-2015, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeK

All about Sani-Flush LINK

"Sani-Flush, Sani-Flush, cleans your teeth without a brush. All you do is pour it on; one, two, three, your teeth are gone."

Gold Digger · 08-09-2015, 07:40 AM

I remember people using lye in there radiators to clean everything out, including all the stop leak that had been used for the last few years. Have heard it cleaned the block real good.

Tom Wesenberg · 08-09-2015, 08:21 AM

I wonder what chemical was used in the hot tanks we used to clean blocks? It was a powder that I mixed in with the hot water. It would destroy cam bearings if they were left in the block.
It did an excellent job of cleaning the coolant chambers, as well as the external paint and even some of the rust. When it was time to change the solution I could add a neutralizer and dump it down the drain.

08-06-2015, 03:51 PM	#3
marc hildebrant Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 1,128	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover I wonder why they designed the block in that manner ? Was it a casting reason ? Design for possible freeze damage ? Marc

08-07-2015, 03:36 AM	#5
ppower Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: England Posts: 37	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover What is the best way to remove the rusty scale which accumulates in the water jacket? A screw driver through the various holes can reach some of it and dropping the engine face down onto a concrete floor dislodges some more. Is there a chemical treatment which will loosen the deposit rather that treat it and maybe bind it tighter to the jacket sides and bottom?

08-07-2015, 09:07 AM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) To remove the rust flakes, I'd start with a long thin screwdriver to chip away all you can reach, then use an old speedometer cable or thin steel cable with the end frayed to make a cleaning brush. Chuck this into a drill and whip it around in each hole, then use a thin blow gun to reach down each of the holes and blow away the crud. When the engine is out of the car with the head off, I'd turn it upside down and blow out the crud. After this it would be good to block off the coolant intake hole and fill the block with Evaporust for a few days. then rinse it clean, and in the future use antifreeze. Last edited by Tom Wesenberg; 08-07-2015 at 11:15 AM.

08-07-2015, 09:36 AM	#7
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover Friend, Claude, cleaned out a decent looking Flathead V-8, with the methods Tom talked about. You can't IMAGINE the crap he got out!! RUST, CASTING?? SAND, CASTING WIRES, ETC.---On old engines, once a year backflushing is a MUST!!--HOT TANKING doesn't get it ALL out. Bill W. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

08-07-2015, 09:49 AM	#8
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover There is also vinegar which will clean it out also. But make sure your radiator is in good shape. In the 60s, we used to use Bon Ami if I recall correctly. It was some household product. Put whatever in and take it for a ride and get it out! Then replace with 50/50 anti freeze. Terry

08-06-2015, 10:52 AM	#2
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover Tom, That's one COOL HUGE CAR: https://myclassicgarage.com/marketpl.../media/1111479 __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio

08-07-2015, 10:01 AM	#9
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover BON-AMI is a glass cleaner??? Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

08-07-2015, 10:05 AM	#10
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover Bon Ami is scouring powder. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

08-07-2015, 10:08 AM	#11
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover The flathead 60HP V-8s had plates like that on both sides. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

08-07-2015, 11:34 AM	#12
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,779	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover katy, But not removable!

08-08-2015, 09:43 PM	#16
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover Thanks Jeff..........and it's only 25 cents for the large size.

08-08-2015, 10:20 PM	#17
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover All about Sani-Flush LINK

08-09-2015, 07:40 AM	#19
Gold Digger Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Arkansas & Alaska Posts: 645	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover I remember people using lye in there radiators to clean everything out, including all the stop leak that had been used for the last few years. Have heard it cleaned the block real good.

08-09-2015, 08:21 AM	#20
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: I Wish Model A Had This Coolant Cover I wonder what chemical was used in the hot tanks we used to clean blocks? It was a powder that I mixed in with the hot water. It would destroy cam bearings if they were left in the block. It did an excellent job of cleaning the coolant chambers, as well as the external paint and even some of the rust. When it was time to change the solution I could add a neutralizer and dump it down the drain.