Flush engine block?

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
signsup
Posts: 472
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 12:56 pm
First Name: Robert
Last Name: Brough
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 War Wagon 1927 Depot Hack 1927 TT
Location: Winston, GA
Board Member Since: 2015

Flush engine block?

Post by signsup » Fri Feb 02, 2024 9:31 am

Hindsight is 20/20 but it is what it is. Radiator was boiled out and pressure checked a few years ago and put up for project. Engine sat with no fluids for about the same period 3 years. Putting back together and radiator is still shiney clean inside, but I have no idea on condition of engine block cooling system. Upon reassembly, should I add anything to the water and glycol to slush out any sideiment or rust in the block? Or just run straight water for a few hot runs and then flush with water?
I don't want to weaken any cylinder walls or cooling jacket spaces with harsh chemicals unless that is what is suggested.

I'll hang up and listen.
Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?

A bunch of old cars
Sometimes they run.
Sometimes, they don't.

User avatar

CudaMan
Posts: 2531
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Strange
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
Location: Hillsboro, MO
Board Member Since: 2013

Re: Flush engine block?

Post by CudaMan » Fri Feb 02, 2024 9:34 am

Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)


Norman Kling
Posts: 4634
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:39 pm
First Name: Norman
Last Name: Kling
Location: Alpine California

Re: Flush engine block?

Post by Norman Kling » Fri Feb 02, 2024 10:43 am

Looks good to me. I was going to add, if the head is off, you can run a plumbing snake through the passages in both the head and block and be sure also the tiny steam vents at the front and rear corners are also clear. That looks like Steve in the pictures. Is it him?
Norm


John kuehn
Posts: 4433
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Kuehn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas

Re: Flush engine block?

Post by John kuehn » Fri Feb 02, 2024 1:02 pm

Since the block has sat for a good while now would be a good time to use a small snake or speedometer cable in it to break loose any scaled rust that’s in it. It should be dry enough now for any scale, rust or debris to easily come off.

User avatar

TRDxB2
Posts: 6262
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
First Name: Frank
Last Name: Brandi
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedsters (1919 w 1926 upgrades), 1926 (Ricardo Head)
Location: Moline IL
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Flush engine block?

Post by TRDxB2 » Fri Feb 02, 2024 2:21 pm

Suggest you get one of these. Some Endoscopes are for iPhone, Android or Windows. light too. also ow the scope is powered. so you need to read the fine print
This link is for US Only eBay sellers sorted low$ to high $ with shipping.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... _PrefLoc=1
Attachments
endoscope.png
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger


RVA23T
Posts: 834
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2022 8:27 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: C
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Touring
Location: Lake Country, Virginia

Re: Flush engine block?

Post by RVA23T » Fri Feb 02, 2024 5:00 pm

The first two times I had the coolant drained and block left open for a week or longer(changing transmission once and a low drum the 2nd) I developed rust and had to flush the block and the radiator out due to clogging in the radiator I found as it overheated after refilling the coolant.

Now any time i have the radiator removed and the block and head coolant passages are exposed to atmosphere more than a day or 2, I will flush out the engine coolant passages with the garden hose, perhaps use some air pressure to remove the tap water remaining and refill with green antifreeze after re-installing the radiator.
Everything works in theory.
Reality is how you determine if something works or not.

User avatar

ModelTMitch
Posts: 147
Joined: Tue Mar 19, 2019 6:58 pm
First Name: Mitch
Last Name: Taylor
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Ford Model T touring
Location: https://www.fordmodelt.net (Manning Valley, NSW, Australia)
Contact:

Re: Flush engine block?

Post by ModelTMitch » Sun Feb 04, 2024 12:29 am

So recently my Model T started squirting water out of the radiator cap, very mysterious!
Long story short, I (unnecessarily) flushed out the whole cooling system to try and find the problem, which after all turned out to be perished seals on the radiator cap itself!!

Enjoy the video though...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQAvAYxrXc0
☆☆ ModelTMitch ☆☆
Manning Valley, NSW, Australia

★ Website: https://www.fordmodelt.net
★ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModelTMitch
★ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/modeltmitch
★ Car Club: https://www.glhac.org

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic