Water Pump removal - Krud removal
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
Water Pump removal - Krud removal
In tearing down the engine accessories preparing to paint the block i discovered that the radiator had some nasty stuff left over. I pulled the radiator to replace with new one but also found the water pump was very scaly inside with dried up particles and other unknowns. i pulled the pump itself and scratched most of it out just fine. My concern is the engine block; im pretty confident that some of that krud is in the block so i have questions/concerns on how best to clean it up. it will be sometime until the motor is started again however i want to have the procedure down or see if there is anything i can do in the meantime. Am in store for a coolant flush procedure? Finally, in searching i found people suggesting to pull the engine plugs...can someone point out where exactly these are? Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
The engine plugs or better known as frost plugs are on each side of the block,, about an inch and a quarter round, they are indented/press fit,, you remove them with a sharp blow from a screw driver and hammer, trying not to push them inside. there are two on each side if I'm not mistaken. You don,t mention if the block is in or out of the car,, if its on a stand just flush it good with a hose from the pump holes and swing it upside down a few times. If the particles are to big to be flushed I don't think you have to worry about them being sucked up.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
There is 1 1/4" (9/16" hex head steel) pipe plug on each side of the block. They may be tight and tough to get out, but use a 6 point socket to not damage the hex and you will have no problems.
The 2nd pic shows the crud built up inside the block. Use a screwdriver to poke thru this and get the coolant out. If they are in this shape then a serious flushing is in order using oxalic acid first and washing soda as a neutralizer.
Suggest replacing the plugs with hex headed brass plugs.
Unless the engine is out, I wouldn't fool with the frost plugs.
If the engine is out, then there is a better way to clean the block.
The 2nd pic shows the crud built up inside the block. Use a screwdriver to poke thru this and get the coolant out. If they are in this shape then a serious flushing is in order using oxalic acid first and washing soda as a neutralizer.
Suggest replacing the plugs with hex headed brass plugs.
Unless the engine is out, I wouldn't fool with the frost plugs.
If the engine is out, then there is a better way to clean the block.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
Yes the block is still in the car. As it stands now I can see small particles through the pump holes in the front of the block. Wasn't sure if I could just pump water in those holes while in the car? But then can't think of a way to remove the water. Perhaps the best question is whether I should even worry about this. Once I install the new radiator and hoses and fill up with coolant; will most/all the krud remove by itself during the flush?
Sorry if any of these are stupid questions. I guess I didn't think about this problem until I saw the particles.
Sorry if any of these are stupid questions. I guess I didn't think about this problem until I saw the particles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 198
From: Meriden CT
Sure, you can pump water in those holes and any other way into the water jacket without hurting anything. Take those block drain plugs out like noonie showed you and flush the hell out of it.
I think that any particles small enough to pass through the radiator (and heater) core wouldn't hurt it, but something larger could get lodged in your brand new radiator.
I think that any particles small enough to pass through the radiator (and heater) core wouldn't hurt it, but something larger could get lodged in your brand new radiator.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Sure, you can pump water in those holes and any other way into the water jacket without hurting anything. Take those block drain plugs out like noonie showed you and flush the hell out of it.
I think that any particles small enough to pass through the radiator (and heater) core wouldn't hurt it, but something larger could get lodged in your brand new radiator.
I think that any particles small enough to pass through the radiator (and heater) core wouldn't hurt it, but something larger could get lodged in your brand new radiator.
That's right.
That's the worst thing you can do. is put in a new rad and then flush especially an alum one with much smaller tube openings. Do it with the old rad or the empty block.
