OT: I'm working on an old water cooled car and have a question., Gasp. Options

[Krieger]

I'm doing some work on a friend's 1964 MGB. It has sat for the last 5 years. Before that in 2021 after sitting for 17 years a shop got it running and driving. I don't think she drove it more than a few hundred miles lot of reasons. So I am going through each system. I'm working on the cooling system now. I drained the coolant from the radiator. I tried to drain the coolant from the engine block. It had a brass valve that was stuck so I removed it. Nothing came out! Its totally plugged. The threaded hole (about 1/2") in the case goes back an inch and makes a 90° turn. I've tried working a bent wire inside. I can get up there about an inch. Still nothing came out. With the thermostat removed and using compressed air, I can force air into the coolant drain hole and there is some bubbling happening where the thermostat was. Not enough bubbling to justify the 50 psi I put in. How can I get this flowing again? What have you guys had luck with? I was looking at Thermocure by Evapo Rust.

[KELTY360]

I’ve got no answer for you, but I do have a quick story. Years ago I was driving on a twisty road on Mercer Island when I saw an MGB in front of me. Nothing special about it till I noticed the license plate. It was a simple message: FIX.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[Superhawk996]

You are on the right track.

Basically an acid dip would be done to a bare block before a rebuild. The less extreme options are citric acid flush solutions or evaporust type solution.

Im not sure what EvapoRust is (MSDS says propriety trade secret) but will vouch for whatever it is it works. Would expect the thermocure product to basically be the same.

Plan for extended soak time based on how clogged up it sounds. Keep digging with the wire in between soaking sessions.

I would start with extended soaks before trying to drive knowing the full block isn’t getting good flow and will have hot spots where the water jacket doesn’t have coolant circulating.

[Artfrombama]

FWIW; Old used car salesman trick. Very dirty cooling system, dump in a box of Cascade automatic dishwashing detergent in the radiator and drive the car around a day or two. Pull off the bottom hose and flush with water.

[Krieger]

Thanks Superhawk. Letting it sit for a while is a great idea. I think I'm going to close the system excluding the heater core, radiator and thermostat. Im going to remove the the drive belt, then use my hand drill with a hole saw bit to turn the water pump for brief periods. And let it sit. Then repeat a few more times until that drain hole functions. Then a Cascade rinse finish from Artfrombama! I'll keep everyone posted.

[Ninja]

I use the Cascade process occasionally.

Be careful on how much you use!

I put 1/4 box into an old ford van. This was a big system with rear heat.

Had to flush that puppy 10+ times before I got all of the dishwashing suds out!

Smelled like you just sliced lemons even after it was all gone.

It works GREAT. Just a bitch to get it all out.

[porschetub]

Thanks Superhawk. Letting it sit for a while is a great idea. I think I'm going to close the system excluding the heater core, radiator and thermostat. Im going to remove the the drive belt, then use my hand drill with a hole saw bit to turn the water pump for brief periods. And let it sit. Then repeat a few more times until that drain hole functions. Then a Cascade rinse finish from Artfrombama! I'll keep everyone posted.

Please not trying to sound negative but you may find that block too gummed up with rust without removing the frost plugs and removing all the crud you can get out may or may not help you resume normal flow ,as its not your car you may not want to proceed further ,BMC blocks were prone to this issue and speak from personal experience.
Cheers.

[Krieger]

[/quote]
Please not trying to sound negative but you may find that block too gummed up with rust without removing the frost plugs and removing all the crud you can get out may or may not help you resume normal flow ,as its not your car you may not want to proceed further ,BMC blocks were prone to this issue and speak from personal experience.
Cheers.
[/quote]

I totally appreciate your input. I have been staring at the freeze plugs as a possible option for removal. Not sure if I want to go there or not. How bad was your block? How did you resolve your mess?

[Krieger]

I've added the Thermocare, bypassed the radiator. Heater valve and drain plug blocked. I'm using a hole saw and my drill to turn the water pump. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) Gonna let it sit for a few days. Maybe turn that water pump a few times a day.