Back Flush My 8BA

jdl

jdl

Well-known member
I bought a 8BA completely rebuilt with receipts, block was "descaled" on the machine shop receipt. I noticed the new radiator tubes had some blockage "stuff" when looking inside, so I decided to do the vinegar trick for six days. then I backflushed the block & radiator, lots of rust & scale came out. these pictures show the how to...pictures are an afterthought
flush block with this set up.
P1010860.jpg


this hose fitting is from hardware store
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this is the setup, block off three hose's then turn radiator upside down and turn on water.
P1010858.jpg


Here's what came out of radiator, now it is clean..

P1010857.jpg
 
JDL:
Could you explain the "vinegar trick" for me? Thanks for the photos of the hose connection. I have an "A" that I'd like to try this on.

Best regards,
 
This is for the 8BA Only!.. could be adapted to earlier years by using larger pvc ect.

More info.. remove radiator, remove your thermostats, then reconect the thermo housings & hose's, then clamp the garden hose fitting into the top hose and turn it on, the muck will come out of the water pump.
make up some block off pipes for doing the radiator, 1" pvc with caps for the top hose's & 1-1/4" for the bottom hose with cap and 1-1/4" with the hose fitting glued in, I used JB weld for the glue on this one fitting.

2- 1" x 6" pvc
2- 1" caps
2- 1-1/4" x 6" pvc
1- 1-1/4" cap
2-pvc garden hose adapters, 1 for the top hose & 1 to glue in the 1-1/4" pvc for the bottom hose
 
sellerby said:
JDL:
Could you explain the "vinegar trick" for me? Thanks for the photos of the hose connection. I have an "A" that I'd like to try this on.

Best regards,
Click to expand...
The vinegar flush, drain your system of water fill with white vinegar (got mine at costco) drive everyday for a week then drain & flush. I used about 4 gals of vinegar.
 
your set up is neat, but they sell an adapter that is used to back flush an engine or radiator, its rubber and cone shaped so you can put it in any opening and it has an air adapter built in so you can put your air hose on it along with the water, you turn on the water then pull the trigger on the air hose, the air going in at the same time as the water creates a lot more turbulance than just the water, the air bubbles help dislouge any stuff stuck, and the water carries out the junk
 
Is it necessary to neutralize the vinegar with like a baking soda mix after running the vinegar? or is just flushing it fine?
 
I had a 1/2 box of baking soda so gave it a shot.

HOWEVER, now that I'm done withthe vinegar and backflush and back to water and water pump lube, I just found a rust stain coming from the block behind the starter. It doesn't look like it is coming from the head gasket. Before my cleaning process I noticed a stain on the driveway about in the same place. I though nothing of it. Maybe this is an old leak highlited by the vinegar. I sure am worried.

The next chance I get I will go for a ride and check the area with the engine hot.
I bought a can of Barrs but don't want to use it if not necessary.
 
I hate to say it Clem but I just did the vinegar trick to my 36 and it exposed more leaks in my old radiator then I care to mentioned. Ran the vinegar for 5 days. It definitely cleaned out a bunch of rust. I will now need to pull the radiator that had one small leak and get it recored or fixed. I hope it didn't expose any other problems. :[
 
the vineger treatment just speeded up what was going to happen sooner or later, and sooner would be my guess
 
Yes your right ford1. I was hoping for later on a radiator fix. I am also hoping it didn't do any damage to the new copper head gaskets I just put on.
 
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Stains the driveway and the car. I'm hoping I did more good that bad. I idled the car yesterday and the temp stabilized at 160.437. Next step is a shot trip and inspection. If there is any dripping I will use Baars stopleak
 
Clem Clement said:
Stains the driveway and the car. I'm hoping I did more good that bad. I idled the car yesterday and the temp stabilized at 160.437. Next step is a shot trip and inspection. If there is any dripping I will use Baars stopleak
Click to expand...

Clem Clement .................
You still have a problem. Your temp should have stabilized at no hotter than 160.428. LOL !
MIKE :)
 
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