HI all,
Just got my radiator back from the shop. Now I don't want to plug it up with junk from the engine water jacket (this is a barn-fresh survivor). Any suggestions of what to do---oh, and there is no handy water hose or water supply nearby, I'll have to haul some water up from the house (not enough water pressure to get water to this storage area).
No hurry on the cleaning--I still have to rewood the body before I go anywhere!
Stuff an apple in the outlet and fill the block with white vinegar.
Let it sit for few days and then remove the apple.
If your really brave you could eat the apple when you remove it
The acid in the vinegar will help clean the block.
Although there is no water nearby I'd find a way to flush the block to remove as much of the sediment as possible.
Barney has wheels... why not drag him down to the hose?
He's lookin' better than Rusty!
Fred's suggestion is a good one. When I had my engine apart I spent a lot of time cleaning out the water jacket. It was loaded with crud.
After a lap or two with the vinegar, I suggest you pull the head. Clean the head and block flushing them out and scraping as much as you can get to. I used a long screwdriver and a wet-vac to suck as much as possible out. (My grandfather used ranch well water in it and it was loaded with mineral build-up.)
There are a number of holes that usually are pretty clogged up, and I don't believe it's possible to get them cleaned out as they should be unless you take it apart.
Anyhow, my $.02 worth.
Get a piece of garage door cable make it just a little bit longer than you might need to insert into the block, fray one end to make a sort of brush. Put the unfrayed end into a electric drill and let it whip around on the water jacket.
I used a small magnet on a long wire to fish into all openings with the head off, repeating till no more crud came out. flush with as much water as you can. Do drill out the crust if it has gotten into the small "steam" holes in the block and head.
Check out what Steve Jelf did:
http://youtu.be/RnOZ2MZt5FY
and this forum discussion:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/257047/285681.html
Seems like worth a trip closer to the well
Can't see you getting anywhere without a water supply/hose for a good flush no matter what you pour in.
Yes, i am wishing I had put Barney in the lower garage where there is water, but there was--and still is--no room! Augh!! Must downsize "stuff" collection!
David
Oh, and one link is to a U-tube video--augh!! I'm on dial up (lack of water is not my only handicap!)!