Looking for something to soften the sludge from not changin oil I'm maybe 40 years in

[J Franklin]

Leaving it be is like an ostrich with his head in the sand. Don't flush it out clean it physically. Why have the car if you don't wish to care for it properly? Have it done if you can not do it yourself.

[scooder]

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

I have been told that if an engine was slugged up with non detergent oil you don't even want to run detergent oil or you will end up with all of the dissolved sludge blocking the engine passages. It is better to have the sludge at the bottom of the pan than in the oil passages. Pull the pan and clean it right.

Charlie Stephens

You were told wrong.
Detergent oil keeps stuff in suspension so it can be grabbed by the filter. It will not dissolve or clean or loosen the sludge in the pan or intake valley.
This opinion is based on experience.
Got to be done properly.
Martin.

[4t8v8]

Don't cut corners. Take it apart and clean it. Found out the hard way.

[scicala]

It sounds like your looking for a miracle from many, many, many, many years of neglect.

Sal

[philipswanson]

Take it apart. Crud floating around will do more damage than leaving it alone.

Phil Swanson

[Pete F]

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You are never going to get it all but if it's that bad I would pull the intake and use a shop vac to get as much as you can.
And than run it than drain it and pull the pan and clean out the pan and pickup.
I have seen to many pickups get plugged and starve the pump which starves the bearings and the next thing your building the engine.
No guarantees on this kind of job if it's that bad.


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[Bored&Stroked]

Couple things to ponder:

1) Has it Been Sitting for a Long Time: If so, then I would NOT start it . . . as there is probably a very thick and solidified layer of crap in the oil pan. If this is the case, you most definitely should pull the pan and pump - cleaning them BOTH out before you start the engine.

This is the way the 59AB was in a 32 that I bought - had sat up on blocks since 1959. I pulled the pan, cleaned out an inch of solid sludge, put in a new oil pump, changed the water and fuel pumps, put on new head gaskets (checked the bores and valves for rust - there was none) and she fired right up. I drove it with this engine for almost 2 years - while I built another engine to take its place.

2) Engine Condition and Goals: If it was mine, then I'd check the bearings and the oil pump while pulling the pan. Might as well see what condition the lower end is in while you have it apart. This will give you some idea as to whether it makes sense to continue with the 'clean and run' journey . . . or, it may be in bad shape and why waste the time . . . as it should really be rebuilt anyway.

[chap52]

Reality...Every little project gets more complex as you get into it. That's why we call it a Hobby.
It will prove to be worth the extra work so you don't have to do it again later when some of that residual gunk really does some damage.
Take your time and enjoy the adventure.

[mountstimothy0]

Thanks guys I took the intake and oil pan off. All my valve guides were stuck anyway. Pulled out all my valves that allowed me to spoon all the sludge out then dropped my oil pan and cleaned it and the screen too just in case

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[40cpe]

Good on you for biting the bullet and gettin' it done.

[FrankWest]

Cleaning out my cars oil pan was the first thing i attempted to do as the owner of my 1933 ford. I was afraid to do it, but decided that I must. I am so glad that I did it. The pan had 1 inch layer of what looked like black sand. Scoping it out with an old spatula. The black sand maintained its shape as i scoped out the layer of black sand. The black sand would not flow but maintained its structure as a layer cake!
I have been told, this is what to expect when a car runs non-detergent oil that was standard for automobiles before the introduction of detergent oil. No solvent would have dissolved this sand.

[mountstimothy0]

Glad i took all your advise I feel much more comfortable now

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[34billct]

Wile you have the pan down It would be wise to change the the core/freeze plugs on the block pan rail.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by Pete F

You are never going to get it all but if it's that bad I would pull the intake and use a shop vac to get as much as you can.
And than run it than drain it and pull the pan and clean out the pan and pickup.
I have seen to many pickups get plugged and starve the pump which starves the bearings and the next thing your building the engine.
No guarantees on this kind of job if it's that bad.


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I'm just wondering; what does this do to your shop vac? I would think it make a complete mess of it, but I've never tried it so I don't really know.

[Pete F]

Originally Posted by tubman

I'm just wondering; what does this do to your shop vac? I would think it make a complete mess of it, but I've never tried it so I don't really know.

Clean the vac out good before you use it so when your done you vas use a little brake clean to clean it out.
You may have to buy a new filter but at least you will have got the sludge out


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[mountstimothy0]

Originally Posted by 34billct

Wile you have the pan down It would be wise to change the the core/freeze plugs on the block pan rail.

Doesn't have them it's a 46-48

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[chap52]

Good decision...We've all been there.