The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Carbon filled intake manifold

Hi All - just getting back to the truck after another great year of Colorado hunting. Q:What's the difference between deer in Colorado and Bigfoot? A: People claim to have seen Bigfoot!

Anyway I decided to clean up the intake on the 54' 235 motor I am installing in the 52' truck and the thing is all but completely plugged with carbon. Before I jam a screwdriver in there and begin chiseling out the crud I wanted ask if there would be anything inside I would have to watch out for to avoid damage? The thing is so bad I cannot even tell what it supposed to look like. Any thoughts or pictures out there?

Thanks

About the only thing I can think of is not to marr the gasket surfaces...... Wonder how it got plugged with carbon?? I could see maybe the exhaust, but the intake??
John

Thanks WL - the carbon is in the bottom side where it connects to the exhaust manifold. I'm guessing that the heat riser being stuck has something to do with it. I just do no want to shove a screwdriver into that area and start prying out flakes of carbon if there are other delicacies to deal with.

there is cast iron in there. It's just hollow. If you just glance at the heat riser you will see it isn't really a tight seal. My question is how did it run if the heat riser was stuck in the "heat" position? Did it run OK? I jammed mine in the "heat" position (although at the time I had no idea which position was heat or otherwise)I thought I was going to explode something, it popped and lurched horribly.

Thank BH - I bought this 235 motor to replace the 216 and had it running only one time before tearing it down. Not sure how it would have ran in that condition. Because it is plugged I really don't think it allowed the hot air to swirl around the fuel - at least not in the latter part of its condition.

Sounds like there isn't much in there so I am going to start scraping to see what I find.

Was the carb constantly leaking? Running super rich?

Thanks H65 - not sure as I bought the motor without hearing it run. I just wanted it because it was full pressure oil. I know nothing of its history. Just that I have never seen so much carbon buildup before. It chisels out easily though.

You can clean it with an Oxy_acetelyne torch.... using a cutting tip......set flame to blue hot...... direct flame at the carbon..... do this ONLY outside..... the white smoke fumes may be 99% lead or other heavy metal.... I have used that approach to clean and free up heat riser valves.... just stay upwind.

Bob C.

Thanks 1812 - I was wondering if that was an option as well but without seeing into what was in there I was nervous about trying it. I have most of this stuff chipped out and will give this a try to clean up the rest.

Scott 5150: there area LOT of deer in Colorado. Don't know where you were hunting but they are mostly in the plains on the front range laying dead in the barditch having been hit by a car. OUCH.

I hear that moneypit - the next time at 5am I will set the cruise to 50mph and hold a hot cup of coffee and hit the road and I'm sure I will find one then. Seems to be when they show up.

Been hunting above Grand Junction and things are pretty bleak at this time. Now that it's over I can get back to the truck and many more questions form you guys.

If the deer are like rats where you are give me a holler and I'll come out there. They'll be sure to disappear then. Thanks