[mikzjr@aol.com]

I have a 29 chrysler in removal of the water pump I noticed flakes of rust in the water jacket area so with a small magnet I went down along the cyl. removing the rust, don't want to remove the water jacket covers if possible bolts break off can't get the covers to seal ect. would it hurt to put iron out in the block and flush the rust out that way or bite the bullet and remove the covers.

[hchris]

The only way you will ever get the scale / rust out of the block is to have it dipped in a commercial cleaning bath. If you have been poking round in the block you will probably do more harm than good, as the scale you have disturbed will now be carried into the radiator. It might be wise to put a stocking in the upper radiator hose to capture any scale before you run the engine again; leave it there a 50 miles or so then remove and you may be surprised at whats in it.

[mikzjr@aol.com]

Thats for the tip

[B1rdman]

i had the rust problem. mine is a 1927 Hupmobile
pulled the cylinder cover off on drivers side, careful bolts will break.
anyway you would not believe what i got out of that engine.
as far as i know i did not cause myself any problems

[Rusty_OToole]

I did this a while back on a flathead DeSoto six. The engine was full of antifreeze when I drained it, and the water jacket had an inch of mud in the bottom. It washed out easily with a pressure washer helped by an air hose.

If it is not practical to wash your engine out this way, you could try adding CLR calcium lime and rust remover to the cooling system. This will dissolve rust and scale but not hurt aluminum parts. You may need to drain and flush the cooling system several times until the water stays clean.

[mikzjr@aol.com]

Thanks for the advice Rusty, this weekend I went to the hardware store to try clr but it said not to use on aluminum so I scratched that idea I am going to pull the water jacket covers and cross my fingers.

[Rusty_OToole]

Sorry I thought CLR was safe for aluminum. Glad you pointed that out.

[MochetVelo]

I read that a transmission shop can clean an old engine block for you. Their washer won't harm the babbit. Also, if you want to neutralize rust in an engine, Evapo-Rust "Cooling System Cleaner" might work for you. According to the maker, it "Safely removes rust from engine blocks and cooling systems".

Phil

[hchris]

A word of caution, you are disturbing 70 years accumulation of buildup and corrosion.

If you are doing this with the engine in situ, no matter how hard you try, you will not clear all of it from the engine, so expect the residue to be circulating around the coolant system for months to come. Most of this will ultimately lodge in the radiator and before you know it you will have overheating problems.

To avoid this problem ensure you install a filter at the radiator inlet and ensure you clear it regularly ( one of her stockings will do ); you will be amazed how long this rubbish remains in circulation.

[manitoba27stude]

Ford had a rust remover/cooling system cleaner that i find worked real well.a few years back it was primarily used at the dealership for an issue the taurus had.