Stuck Rings

[bernardi]

Somewhere I saw a post that was supposed to almost magically free up stuck rings. I have several cylinders of them in a recently acquired V8. Could someone please post the formula?

Thanks,

[55PackardGuy]

I don't know about magic, but are you thinking maybe of a Seafoam treatment? Drizzling that stuff into the carb with the engine running until it chokes out, then letting it sit overnight has been touted as a de-carbonizing treatment and maybe would help clean varnish and crud off stuck rings. It does clean a lotta crap out, as evidenced by the great show of smoke when you start it the next day.

Here's a thought: Do a search on the forum for "stuck rings." You might find the original post.

[bernardi]

Thanks for the Seafoam suggestion. I tried a "stuck ring" search" and got bogged down with 200 references.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

I used a mixture of Acetone and WD40, on a '37 stright-8, with Good success. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> But I had taken the head off first. V8s are more difficult since you have to almost fill up the cylinder to get anything all the way around the pistons. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> So I would suggest taking the heads off first, to see what you are working with. Cause you could have broken rings that are digging into the cylinder walls. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

And my mixture of Chemicals Didn't Explode or Anything! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[55PackardGuy]

Yes, the Seafoam treatment is really an "upper cylinder" cleaning thing. IF you go filling up cylinders with any liquid and have the head on, you naturally have to be absolutely sure that all the liquid is drained out before replacing the plug and trying to turn it over or you WILL have bent rods at the least. Liquid does not compress, and you can't take a chance that it will be forced through any ring gaps.

Interestingly, this caveat is not from personal experience!

As Speedster suggests taking off the head is probably the minimum you will have to do to free up stuck rings... and even then you won't know the true condition. "Miracle in a can" might do something over a long period of time. Might I suggest Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas and oil--but only as much as suggested on the bottle. Then, some spirited driving and an oil change--and repeat, just like it says on the shampoo bottle. Results may vary. See your mechanic if the problem persists. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Albert]

I did a 54 engine a number of years ago with diesel and atf fluid, the motor was completly stuck, 3 weeks later it turned over, when i pulled the motor apart all the rings where loose on the pistons. If you are worried about the motor hydraulic locking , just leave the plugs out and crank it a few times, this will blow enought excess out. But i will warn you it will smoke like a SOB when it does start up for a few min, like all of mine have. It will also kill off a few bugs in the area too..

[Joe Block]

I have a good friend who in to tractors, he pours diesel in all of them the day he brings the tractors home to free up stuck pistons and rings. Diesel is pretty good solvent, as I used diesel to free up a 42 Overdrive cable; soaked for a month and then work in an out a little at a time about 15 minutes everynight for another month to free it up, now the cables as just as good as new, and it was an NOS cable shelf stuck after 50 years.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Diesel is pretty good solvent, </div></div>

Yes, I keep hearing that from different people. Since I've never owned a diesel engine of any type, I've never had a need to buy any diesel fuel. Looks like I'm gonna have to get one of my gas cans and Label it 'Diesel', and give it a try. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[55PackardGuy]

Maybe somebody has an opinion on the type of Diesel to use: #1 which is in most service station pumps or #2 (fuel oil). #2 is heavier and seems more "oily" but may not have as good solvent qualities. Similarly, some folks swear by kerosene... might not smell as bad, either. One good thing, these are relatively cheap compared to fancy miracle-in-a-can stuff. People have even been know to throw some diesel fuel in the gas tank as an "additive." Don't know any of the pros and cons of this doctoring, but like most home remedies, people have their own recipes. I do believe that a lot of those fancy gasoline additives and fuel system cleaners are just mineral spirits, alcohol, and other types of solvents.

[Clipper47]

Yes Diesel fuel, kerosene, furnace oil, Jet fuel and stove oil are all very similar and are excellent solvents. Several of the so called fuel additives are nothing more than kerosene.

[Guest imported_Speedster]

I'd think Pump diesel would have more of the Potent Solvents in it.