rust removal

[tatonka]

not really a BM question , but there are lot of smart people here so Ill ask. I have a 66 valient , the motor is a slant 6 and the water lines in the block are rusty. I had it flushed by a pro with a machine and he said it was bad. It runs hot unless the weather is cool then its ok , my question is , is there a ggod way to disslove the rust. Was thinking of vinegar , but dont know what it will do when heated.

[FIGJAM]

Vinegar was my first thought when I read rust.

I think I would pull the thermastat, reconnect the housing, drain as much water out as possible, and fill it with vinegar.

Start it up and let it run for 3 minutes, then shut it off and leave it overnight.

Next day, drain and flush with water, install a new thermastat, and see if there is any improvement.

I soaked some chains that were rusted solid and it made them useable again.

[ygmir]

in my MBZ diesel club, they swear by citric acid. cheap and supposedly really works good, while not harming other stuff.
you might google citric acid flush for exact details.

[EspressoDude]

Be careful about these treatments eating the radiator. Ever see how lemon juice(citric acid) removes the color from a copper bar top? Might eat the radiator also. But then maybe the radiator is the problem...can't get rid of heat.

[FIGJAM]

Yup.

If the rad is the weak link, this treatment will expose it.

Just means you needed a rad anyway.

[FIGJAM]

If the rust is that bad the fins on the waterpump may have disolved.

[trilobyte]

I'm giving this a nudge over to Open Discussion, since that's a better fit for stuff that isn't really about Burning Man.

[MikeGyver]

Vinegar flush is what we did on my 78 Dodge pickup (same straight 6 engine) one of my first tests is drain the fluids and stick a hose in the top of the block then the radiator seeing how the flow is.(With the thermostat out)

On a Side note, I've got a 65 Valiant Convertible, the previous owners weren't good repairers... came with a tiny radiator out of a ford, once we bought an up rated radiator it cooled much better.

[gyre]

There are a lot of ways, but be careful that you can get it out safely.
At worst, there is a way to clean out all these lines, and is a standard recommendation rebuilding an engine.
This is the cause of a lot of mystery engine problems.

Kanolabs probably has the right chemical.
I use their silikroil for really difficult frozen hardware.

Coke has been recommended for this purpose.
Auto trans fluid is a last resort.
May penetrate gaskets quite well too.

[tatonka]

thks all for the tips

[gyre]

The risk with clogged galleys is hot spots that you're unaware of, until fatal.
This is why few shops will guarantee work on an unrodded block.
Some won't even touch one.

It's a lot of trouble with a running engine in the car, so you'll have to make the call.
If you're runninbg stock, less risky, of course.
That engine is extremely tough though, so worth getting right, even adding fuel injection to.

[tatonka]

I have a 75 ply slant 6 and trans that runs great , the motor is just sitting in my driveway . Was going to just put that one in if I couldnt get the other to stop overheating.

[tatonka]

had 2 qts of vinegar that I bought to take to the playa, drain radiator and put those in and let it run the 3 min then left it overnight and drained it in the morning and went to work. It was cool out about 58 and the car ran 50% better temp wise , on way home at about 82Deg it ran about a 1/5 cooler than normal. So will try with more this week and hope it progresses. thks

[unjonharley]

had 2 qts of vinegar that I bought to take to the playa, drain radiator and put those in and let it run the 3 min then left it overnight and drained it in the morning and went to work. It was cool out about 58 and the car ran 50% better temp wise , on way home at about 82Deg it ran about a 1/5 cooler than normal. So will try with more this week and hope it progresses. thks

Did you drain it at the petcock? If so, drain again by dropping the lower hose. the petcock is a very small hole..

[tatonka]

just drained the rad. will take a hose to it this weekend , see many small pieces of rust in the water now , will do another treatment with more vinegar than I used last time . Then alot of flushing , thks again all

[gyre]

Good luck.
If you swap engines, check to see if the trans type is as good, or has different ratios.

[tatonka]

Good luck.
If you swap engines, check to see if the trans type is as good, or has different ratios.

I pulled it out of the 75 which was a good runner until the rear end went , it was very ugly tho .

[unjonharley]

Check out your freeze plugs.. They are the weakest point.. To install new plugs. Use a doll of the inside diameter. Tap in with a soft hammer..

[unjonharley]

Had a slant 5 in my van "Arnold". He gave a lot of good rides..In his past life. He was phone repair.. Then a family toured the US with him.. The mom flagged me down and gave me the spare part that should have gone with Arnold to new home with me. That was 25 tears ago..

[gyre]

The push button trans are highly regarded.
Check the 75 model you have before using it.
Might be better to keep the old one.
Ratios may vary too.

I'm sure the 75 would work if you need it though.

[gyre]

I like the sound of that van.

[tatonka]

at work today the water pump gave out , replaced it and on the ride home it ran abit cooler still Will still flush it again tommorrow.

[gyre]

Won't cure a blocked line, but evans non-water fluid is a standard for some cars.
Stops oxidation.

There are higher efficiency water pumps, which all older engines could use.
I use a griffin radiator on my hot running car.
A high pressure water pump might be a bandaid.
I use one for higher pressure at the cylinder head.

Good luck with it.