The water jackets in my 289 appear to be pretty scaly, and I was wondering what the best way to clean them out is without removing the engine from the car. My radiator also looks pretty chunky inside, so info on the best way to clean that out would also be appreciated. Andrew
How much time to you want to spend on this? By that I mean... do you want a quick flush (insert bathroom joke here) or are you willing to let it sit for a day or a week even? It really does matter. Some of the stronger chemicals are quick but you have to be careful because they can damage things if you don't follow instructions. The slower methods require you to fill the system and wait until they work or keep "messin' with them. There have been a few posts about this. This one might help: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=312793&highlight=gizmojoe Good luck.
Vinegar does the trick, and I put a section of mammas pantyhose in the upper hose as a filter to catch any big chunks.
Whatever you do, you gotta be sure it's 100% flushed or it's gonna end badly in 6-12 months. Don't be suprised if you're rewarded for all your hard work with a leaky radiator within a few weeks. Happens quite a bit when you disturb old corrosion. But ya never really know til you try. Good luck
Drain cooling system, dispose of old coolant properly, don't need no dead family pets. Pull radiator, back flush it with the garden hose, watch all the rust and crap come out, be amazed. Back flush the cooling system, watch all the rust come out, be amazed. Once it's done flushin, put radiator back in vehicle. Get a big bottle of CLR, a calcium lime rust (hence CLR name) remover. Fill cooling system with some water, add CLR, and finish filling with water. Run around town for a couple days with the car, then do the pull and flush system, do it WELL. Be amazed at the extra crap that comes outta your cooling system. Fill with coolant/water, and watch for leaks. I've so far not had a one, and my radiator and inside of my nailhead still look nice and clean after almost 5 years.
I remember someone on here saying that Lime Kool-Aid works really well. Weird, but true... or so several people claimed.
Ive heard the citric acid trick too..although it can be a PITA to squeeze that many lemons oranges and limes into your radiator... make sure you make a few margaritas while you wait to see it work
What's the ratio of CLR to Water? Fill the whole system with water, and add a small bottle of CLR? ~Jason
If I were to just pull the radiator and soak it in vinegar, how long should I let it soak? Will vinegar take care of the white crusty deposits as well? It's an old brass radiator. Andrew
Clean the inside by filling 50/50 vinegar and water and running up to temp for 30 minutes or so, be sure to flush it out very well or problems will really begin.
That's why I don't like acids... CLR has to be used "straight".. just like Evapo-rust or Safest Rust Remover. They do work as far as I'm concerned but you have to let them sit for a day or so in the block or setup a circulating pump to get it done quicker. Don't know about running the engine with the stuff in it... The stuff only attacks rust, not good steel so you don't need to neutralize it. No more flushing is needed then you would normally do to a system. It's the only stuff I'd use on a radiator that I worry could leak after.
The radiator I am running with this 289 came out of a 65 mustang, and I was wondering if anyone has any idea what the capacity is on one of these, so I know how much CLR to buy. It looks exactly like this one: http://ebay-img.1aauto.com/pics/plp/RAD130.jpg
You can get concentrated citric acid over the counter at your local appliance parts store. They sell it for cleaning the scale off ice makers. It works in a few hours like magic and doesn't cost a lot. It shouldn't hurt seals, either (unless it gets in their big round eyes. Muh-Ha! Ha! Ha! - Just kidding). Sorry I don't remember the brand name. Get the small red bottle - not the gallon size. It should be plenty for the engine and radiator. A little bit goes a long way. You probably shouldn't pour it on top of your antifreeze. Flush it out so there's only water. It also cleans the scale out of your wife's iron. Be sure to rinse it out a couple of times when you're done so there's no acid left.
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