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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 | I have a motor (not running yet) installed in a chassis and despite trying to blow it out a bunch w/compressor and pressure washer, the coolant coming out of the block still displeases me greatly (rusty water). I have considered buying enough vinegar to pour in through the open block (have the thermo housing off and have back water drain out) and let sit, but then considered muriatic acid/water (have been reading searches on here)....but then I thought, should I just wait until engine is running, will the engine heat help alot more in this quest to remove rusty water (old farm truck had the 235, surely been ran on well water). It pumped out lime or calcium first then moved to rust. Back plug is unstopped (took awhile w/flatheads), and water coming completely through. Your notions? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | vinegar is VERY corrosive, if you use it make sure you flush well, repeatedly .... yes, a hot engine will flush better, and there are a number of flushing compounds available at auto stores
Bill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | Get it to run, and then drain and fill with water and a cup of automatic dish washing detergent...NOT regular stuff it'll foam.
Then drain, refill, run then drain and put in the good stuff. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,212 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,212 | Or, power wash it from the drain up to the t-stat, then the other way. No acid's unless its made for block flushing. I have flushed radiators with regular coolant system cleaners using a water pump and hoses. I just let it set on the floor, ran hoses to the pump, and let it set and run for a day. Being cold water it took longer, but with no engine to use, this worked really good. You could do the same, plumb a hose from the drain to a pump, and then dump it back into the top. A day of running would really help.
Joe | | | | | Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,747 | Automatic dish soap is made with a "base" like phosphorus, lye, That sort of stuff. Not an acid. Think "CLR" the stuff that is used in bath room cleaning. It is less likely to cause corrosion.
Steve H
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 165 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 165 | VC-9 from Ford. Good stuff.
Good luck.
36 Chevy 1.5 ton - rusting away
52 Chevy 3100 - in progress
72 Chevy K20 - DD
PANTS UP DON'T LOOT! PANTS UP DON'T LOOT!
NEVER watch another man eat a banana.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 144 | Thanks again for your thoughts, wanted to follow up for future when someone else runs search. Removing the thermostat housing and water pump enable much more efficient cleaning and got it running clear. There is areas on each side of water pump that is low spot that I was able to get to better with it out of way and that's where the remaining crud was hiding. | | |
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