Technical Stuck Engines, Which Lubricant?

What is your “go to” lubricant for spraying into cylinders to free up rings? Marvel Mystery Oil, PB Blaster or ?

 

If its truly stuck there is no way at all to get the rings out of the pistons and spraying lubricant down the sparkplug hole wont change that

 

That question is one that might start a war around here as everyone seems to have their own favorite .

Marvel Mystery oil
Kroll oil
mix of 1/2 atf and 1/2 acetone is a favorite and not that spendy in the long run.

Heads on or off you will need to get enough in the cylinders to have a decent level of the penetrant over the tops of the pistons so it can soak in past the rings over time IF it does soak in effectively. Some are rusted so solid you risk taking chunks out of the cylinder wall when you go to knock the pistons out.

It's not going to be simple or easy but you might be able to take all the rod caps off (make sure they are marked or mark them ) and lift the crank out and be able to work on one piston at a time with the crank out of the way. You want to see if you can see and reach all of the rod nuts before that though.

 

Just where can I get a CASE of this, "Can-O-Worms"??? Years ago, I gave the step-father of a girlfriend of mine (always thought SHE was the ONE-she's been married/divorced FIVE times now!-dodged a bullet there!), a can of "Bullsh*t-Repellant", for his board meetings. He was an aerospace contractor here in Everett, Wa, long BEFORE Boeing had really sunk it's claws into our economy. As far as the "lubricants" go, I've never had a "stuck" engine I was really wanting to spend a lot of time on. An early HEMI, Olds, or maybe a W-Motor, then that would have been different. "Old wolf" swears by ATF and acetone; that's good enough for me! I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Diesel works great

 

Does the engine turn over is the first question...if it does use the Marvel Mystery oil. If it's stuck you have larger problems than stuck rings. What motor??? If it's a flathead Ford you probably have stuck valves as well as the stuck rings.

 

I always seem to end up taking them apart....haven't had any luck with the soaking thing.

 

Elbow grease.

 

Pg. 2 MoToRs Repair, 1950

"While low compression may result from bad valves, rings, or cylinder wear, it quite often results from rings sticking in the piston grooves due to gum or carbon. A good solvent will often free the rings and again allow them to function."

I like Marvel's, it's potent enough to work, but I don't feel obligated to change the oil like I might when using stronger chemicals. A few ounces in the fuel tank seems to keep carburetors happy too.

 

How...do you know that it's JUST rings ?

I've seen frozen valve(s), this will lock an engine from rotating.
I've seen frozen wrist pin(s), this will lock an engine from rotating.
I've seen frozen lifter(s), this will lock an engine from rotating. I have one of these right now..!

So...just how sure that your problem is JUST rings..?

Mike

 

I find that fill strength muriatic acid frees them right up.

Just kidding, that dissolves pistons.

 

You will never believe this in a million years . When I was a young man starting into the part of my life working in a power house , there was as old old air compressor that was located outside , it sat for many years unused . I was awarded the job to get it running again . It was stuck tighter than ****’s hat band ! I tried all types of oils , barring it over day after day , nothing . One day I was sitting there in discuss , and an old time engineer came over to me and asks “ young fellow you want to get that freed up .” My answer was “ sure , do you know a Priest , to bless me ? “ He chuckled out loud and “ responds , go to the grocery store and get yourself about 2 cases of 16oz COKE , remove the spark plugs , pour it full , screw the plugs back in and look busy ! “ I’m thinking this Dude is nuts and I will be the joke of the day for months . I went around gathered up orders for a lunch run , and headed off to the store . I bought everyone’s lunch and the 2 cases of COKE . Ate lunch , poured the old AJAX , full and low and behold 2 days later the monster was running . A little rough but the longer it ran the better it got . Six months later it went to Chicago Bridge and Iron s**** yard , in great working order . As I said I would never have believed this in my life time , but it worked great . The Phosfuric (?) Acid in the COKE did its thing . Not saying to do this , but it did work for me , maybe it was that request for a blessing that worked also .

 

I also know a guy who swears by Coke. Claims to have freed up a couple of sbc's and ran them for years.

 

I also know that Coke was used to clean surface rust off of chrome bumpers back in the 60s. I saw it work. Since then Coke had its formula changed and may no longer have that ability?

 

Coke works

 

"It's the Real Thing™"

Whatever you do, don't drink that ****.

 

A 50/50 mix of acetone and transmission fluid - especially left to soak for awhile. Nothing I have found works better - it’s a popular old trick for a reason. It works 90% of the time on rusted together parts.

 

Well at the end risk of drawing the wrath of many here the engine is a off theme 1600 air cooled VW engine. The engine I am told was running but has sit for probably 10 years. Not sure what is causing the stick but was going to start with piston rings and corrosion on the cylinder walls and move on from there. The cylinder jugs and pistons can be disposable but would like to be able to save everything else if possible.