Cleaning a block

[Chris Haynes]

What is the best way to clean a block without harming the Babbitt?

[David R.]

My local engine machine shop says they have a mild bath that would clean it up without harming the babbit, but It looks like I’m going to need to re-pour mine anyway.

[redmodelt]

As I said in my other post; hot tanking will only clean grease oil and paint not rust. Some shops can lower the block into the tank leaving the babbitt above the liquid.

[Keith True]

The place I take blocks to gets rid of rust.Actually that's the only reason I take them there.If it's just grease and paint I wash them myself.They never actually never sit in the liquid,they sit on a rack in the vapors of the liquid.Every so often they open the lid and rinse it off with the wand.That's the only time liquid touches the block,and it's just a rinse,no real pressure,probably less than a kitchen sink sprayer.I have a Delco hot water pressure washer,that does a good job.

[Kurt in NJ]

Brush with gunk--- diesel, kerosene, loosen up all the crusty with screwdriver, poke all around water jackets with coathanger. Then go to car wash and start with engine cleaner setting, then hot wash to get block hot so quicker evaporates excess water is a method I have used

[chrs1961815]

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I would pressure wash it with some degreaser. I ised Stanley Degreaser on a block recently to clean the oil and gunk off of it and it revealed a layer of paint that was in decent shape. Cleaning the water jackets might be tricky depending on if they are clogged or not. That might be best to dip just that in a hot tank st a ahop as mentioned above.

[CWPASADENA]

I wash with kerosene and then simple Green and HOT water using a brush to get into all the corners etc.


If the block has rust in the water jackets, I set it up on the bench, block off the water inlet on the side and fill up the water jackets with Rust911. It may take 2-3 applications of Rust911 to get the water jackets clean. I have done several blocks with very good results.


I have taken blocks to my local machine shop and they come back free of grease and oil but most of the rust in the water jackets is still there.


My experience,


Chris W.

[Chris Haynes]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

, then hot wash to get block hot so quicker evaporates excess water is a method I have used

I haven't seen hot water in a quarter car wash in decades.

[Richard in Anaheim CA]

i HAVEN'T SEEN A QUARTER CAR WASH IN DECADES

[Ray64]

In the water jackets I use a 1ft. piece of old lawn mower cable in an electric drill. Its flexible an easily goes around the corners. RAY

[Jim Brierley]

I do the water jackets as Ray does. Turn the block down-side up on your engine stand and the rust will fall out as you roto-rooter the block. Use eye protection!