29PierceArrow Posted March 30 Share Posted March 30 Working on a customer's 1936 Packard with a clogged block; sediment, dirt, etc. Is there a chemical I can pour in the block to loosen everything up first? Can I put a hot water/280 degree high pressure washer [300psi] in one of the holes and pull the trigger, or is there the risk of cracking the block? Suggestions welcome. Tom Griffith griffithvintagemotorcars.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted March 30 Share Posted March 30 Some of the guys have been running straight Evaporust to clean things up. Then there is the nylon stalking filter in the radiator hose trick. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28 Chrysler Posted March 30 Share Posted March 30 Simple Green and hot water, Evaporust can't eat up the oily sludge. The water jacket of the block and the head will not blow apart from a pressure washer. There may be a mess form blow back, put on a raincoat. Do the radiator separate, plug the top and fill it from the bottom and let it sit till cool , drain from the top (no pressure) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 (edited) 6 hours ago, 29PierceArrow said: Working on a customer's 1936 Packard with a clogged block; sediment, dirt, etc. Is there a chemical I can pour in the block to loosen everything up first? Can I put a hot water/280 degree high pressure washer [300psi] in one of the holes and pull the trigger, or is there the risk of cracking the block? Suggestions welcome. Tom Griffith griffithvintagemotorcars.com is the engine in the car or out? Running or head off? Pictures? Edited March 31 by Larry Schramm (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 I have done this on a similar DeSoto flathead six cylinder engine. Took out the core plugs on the side of the block, removed the water pump and radiator, pulled out the water distribution tube and washed out the block with a pressure washer. There was quite a bit of sediment settled in the bottom of the water jackets. It took a bit of poking and scraping with a coat hanger wire to loosen it up but the block came clean. Put the distribution tube back in, put in new core plugs, flushed the radiator and it was good as new. I think I also put in a bottle of CLR and fresh water when I put it together and ran it that way for an hour to make sure it was clean. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29PierceArrow Posted March 31 Author Share Posted March 31 Sounds like the perfect fix, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 If this engine is still in the car, the mess is going to be unbelievable. Works fine though. You won't hurt the block. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 I did mine in the car. It was a running motor with an overheating problem. If the engine is out and being rebuilt it is a cinch, you can hot tank the block and it will come out spotless. Or dunk it in a barrel at home and use a battery charger for electrolysis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary W Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 The power wash won’t hurt the block and is very effective at removing all the rust, scale…. My engine was out on the driveway when I pressure washed it but I sent my radiator out for a re-core. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now