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Best way to clean an engine block? #2989435
11/26/21 09:05 PM
11/26/21 09:05 PM
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USA
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hudsonhornet7x Offline OP
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I am in the process of working on a Gen III hemi short block. As I was investigating things I am finding a lot of trash in the block and oil galleys ( I did not build the short block). I understand the short block needs to come 100% apart. After I do that, what method would you guys use to clean it? Thank you all for your advice. I will try to add some pics of what I am discovering. It looks like a mix of sand and assembly lube. Turned the cam over by hand about 3 revolutions and you can see what happened to the bearing. Did that before I saw any trash. The bearing looks worse than in the pictures and I can catch my fingernail on the grooves.

IMG_4623.JPGIMG_4624.JPGIMG_4625.JPG
Last edited by hudsonhornet7x; 11/26/21 09:11 PM.
Re: Best way to clean an engine block? [Re: hudsonhornet7x] #2989465
11/26/21 10:40 PM
11/26/21 10:40 PM
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Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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Bend,OR USA
I would remove the cam bearings and have the block derusted, hot tanked in a caustic solution up twocents


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Best way to clean an engine block? [Re: Cab_Burge] #2989468
11/26/21 10:58 PM
11/26/21 10:58 PM
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USA
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hudsonhornet7x Offline OP
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Yeah I am not too thrilled with the rust either. I am trying to learn here- if the block was hot tanked and de rusted, will that require the bores to be honed? Already have pistons and rings and don't want to change them. The bores look perfect and the rust is limited to the un machined portions of the block.

Last edited by hudsonhornet7x; 11/26/21 10:59 PM.
Re: Best way to clean an engine block? [Re: hudsonhornet7x] #2989494
11/27/21 03:06 AM
11/27/21 03:06 AM
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Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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Years ago a friend and I went in together on a hot tank we bought from a local tool dealer or maybe a parts store, bottom line it ran on 220 V and the caustic soda would wear out with use and it had a derusting chemical in it that may not be available now with the new environmental laws shruggy scope
It worked great up
I don't think it would eat cast iron though work


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Best way to clean an engine block? [Re: hudsonhornet7x] #2989511
11/27/21 09:06 AM
11/27/21 09:06 AM
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Ambridge, Pa.
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rickraw Offline
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I just use a can of gunk, engine brush kit and hit block with pressure washer. Evaporust will remove all rust. 2cts.

Re: Best way to clean an engine block? [Re: rickraw] #2989518
11/27/21 09:46 AM
11/27/21 09:46 AM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,947
Apollo, PA.
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Apollo, PA.
Originally Posted by rickraw
I just use a can of gunk, engine brush kit and hit block with pressure washer. Evaporust will remove all rust. 2cts.


I agree, I have a home built hot tank, and I wouldn't put that in there. Not worth it. On the bores the caustic soda won't eat them but it is so good at breaking down any oil that by the time you begin to remove it from the soda and rinse it down the bore get a little flash rust. Which might be ok but you will be scotch briteing it out for sure.

Re: Best way to clean an engine block? [Re: rickraw] #2989519
11/27/21 09:49 AM
11/27/21 09:49 AM
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Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY Offline
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Originally Posted by rickraw
I just use a can of gunk, engine brush kit and hit block with pressure washer. Evaporust will remove all rust. 2cts.


Thats all I do.. start out at the 25 cent car wash then head back home.. I have had a shop clean them
a few times but usually do them myself unless they are really bad
wave

Re: Best way to clean an engine block? [Re: MR_P_BODY] #2989868
11/28/21 03:14 PM
11/28/21 03:14 PM
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Atlanta, GA
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mgoblue9798 Offline
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Atlanta, GA
Originally Posted by MR_P_BODY
Originally Posted by rickraw
I just use a can of gunk, engine brush kit and hit block with pressure washer. Evaporust will remove all rust. 2cts.


Thats all I do.. start out at the 25 cent car wash then head back home.. I have had a shop clean them
a few times but usually do them myself unless they are really bad
wave


If it the weather is warm out I do the same with my pressure washer. Pipe cleaners, oven cleaner, and gun bore brushes help. Derust with home made electrolysis tub instead of evaporust. Just make sure every galley plug is pulled.

Last edited by mgoblue9798; 11/28/21 03:14 PM.






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