cooling system rust

[billbuickgs]

 

My 55 buick sat for some years and has heavy rust build up in the cooling

system. I had to change a freeze plug in the block and notice the very heavy rust .

Any ideas on removing the rust without boiling the block ?????

I have the water pump and water  manifold ( thermo housing ) off.

 

Bill

Edited May 23, 2016 by billbuickgs (see edit history)

[Bhigdog]

Back flush will help..................Bob

[Fr. Buick]

If ambitious, remove all the big plugs and flush out as much sediment that settles to the bottom of the water jacket as you can.  Regardless, buy a Tefba coolant filter and clean it out as needed.

Edited May 23, 2016 by Fr. Buick (see edit history)

[leon bee]

Man, I never heard of a coolant filter till just now! So I went and googled Tefba. Not just a gimmick? If not, maybe I'll be the first guy on my block to order one.

[buick man]

…. Well some swear by putting a cut piece of nylon or pantyhose between the radiator and upper return hose after the clean out process for a while to collect the inevitable debris that will continue to come loose long after the cleaning.  They also make a stainless mesh for the same purpose.  With that said, here's a read on the topic of cleaning your engine block.  In your case, I would first remove all the soft plugs, dig out the crap and then clean as best you can by sticking a hose deep, far and as many places as you can, them consider applying the method of this write-up both before and after you install the new soft plugs.  In this discussion the soft plugs had already been removed , block cleaned out and new soft plugs had been installed, then it sat for a long time until this cleaning method :   

 

[Grimy]

I'm one of those who swears by pantyhose.  The stocking is finer mesh than the Gano filter, and is great for catching "sludge" or aluminum corrosion byproducts that a Gano will not.  Everything you catch would otherwise be building up in your radiator core. 

 

Actually, the knee-high stockings that women wear with slacks (10 pair for $6 at Walgreens) are heavier gauge and last longer.

Remove top radiator hose and insert toe using a blunt object like screwdriver handle; fold selvage over the outside of the upper radiator neck, so that crud in the water passes thru the stocking.  Do this BEFORE running a chemical flushing agent. After flushing, use a new stocking.

 

After 300 miles or so, drain a gallon or so of coolant and save for reinstallation. Note how much debris has been captured, and use Kentucky windage to schedule your next filter cleaning.  Rinse stocking out under a hose and reinstall, then put back the coolant you drained off.

 

In 500 miles you'll be a believer.

[60FlatTop]

Jeez, pantyhose goes on the inside not in the radiator hose.

 

 

I've never had problems with the cooling system, but pantyhose sure can bring its owm problems.

Bernie

[Ben Bruce aka First Born]

7 hours ago, 60FlatTop said:

Jeez, pantyhose goes on the inside not in the radiator hose.

 

 

I've never had problems with the cooling system, but pantyhose sure can bring its owm problems.

Bernie

 

 Not as long as they are in the intended position!

 

  Ben

[Guest]

On 5/24/2016 at 5:13 PM, First Born said:

 

 Not as long as they are in the intended position!

 

  Ben

All of the sudden, I'm feeling some cooling system problems comin' on! Whew!