Loosing water.

B

Brentwood Bob

Well-known member
The huckster has a plugged radiator. Isolating it I got 3/4 gallon of rusty water out of it along with a black residue. When I drained the system at the petcock I got clean looking antifreeze.
So I'm going to pull the radiator and get it rodded out.
Also, I will back flush the block, and probably rig up a bubbler to let some dish washer soap work on the scale in the block.
Judging from the rusty front spring, and front cross member the radiator has had a problem for some time. The owner asked if I had drive the truck much since the repairs were done. When I mentioned the water problem the use of the water came to light.That's the reason for the new radiator and leakless waterpump. The whole system needs to be clean before running a new radiator.
Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.
 
I have had some success with CLR cleaning out a block. I plug the water inlet on the side of the block and pour the CLR in the outlet neck and add water to just above the water pump impeller. Let it sit over night drain and flush. Other have used Muriatic Acid but I shy away from it due to the dangers of it. Not to say it dowsn't work.
 
What strength for the CLR? I think the block should hold about 1 1/2 gallons, since the whole system is around 3 gal.?Or do you see what kind of stuff comes out when you flush to judge a second application. After treatment I will probably add a soluable oil as a water pump lube.
 
If it is that bad i would tear that engine down[ HEAD OFF} and do the whole nine yds.on it.I used a foot long piece of flexible choke cable [outside] in my drillmotor and cleaned all the passages in the block and head.Reassembled with a new gasket and fifty fifty antifreeze and it now is fine.I did put in a new radiator also RAY
 
;)I had real good luck cleaning my radiator with OIL EATER that I purchased at Costco. Maybe a quart that I ran til hot and it cleaned a LOT of grease out.

It also found holes so I wound up buying a new radiator. ):mad:
 
Brentwood Bob .......................
One good, inexpensive remedy is to fill your radiator with straight white vinegar and leave it there for a couple weeks and even running it that way. You will be amazed at what mud, rust and dirt that will come out. It is a mild acid and is not dangerous. It will not hurt the environment either.
MIKE :)
 
Many times the cooling system will be coated in grease from greasing the water pump. It is allways best to first flush the system, then add some dish washing liquid and fill the radiator with water. Run it for a while, then flush and reflush until it runs clean. this is to remove the old grease and oily residue. No radiator cleaner will work if oil and grease is present.

I don't run antifreeze in my model A. It only makes them run hotter and it will leak in places that water won't. It is really NO good for preventing rust. It would be best to use water soluable water pump lubricant after cleaning out the system.
 
I like the vinegar and CLR. Something isn't right with the block. The radiator goes to stockton monday. I'm wrestling with the headlight wire loom and halogen headlights. I'm labeling everything. thanks for the ideas. I'll report back when I get it back together.
 
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