While taking my intake to get it tanked and everything. I mentioned that my block and heads still have some scaling and stuff that will probably start floating around once the engine gets moving. Shop guy says to use soluble oil. The stuff used for keeping a blade cool on a large band saw. Would this cause any problems to my gaskets or hoses? Second. I found out about Gano Filters. Which are filters with a clear tube to prevent stuff from flowing into the radiator. The problem is that when first starting the engine, I want it to run without having to stop and clean the filter. I was thinking of making my own container with a hose going in and a second hose at the top with a screen (this one going to the radiator). Maybe I will draw something up. Any thoughts or anything you have done?
Wow. I thought I would at least get a, "Are you crazy? Oil in your radiator?" I've been looking into this more and I have seen some coolant filters for diesels but I don't know how much pressure they can take. How much pressure do you think those hoses get on them? Also, does anyone know the direction the coolant flows in a 74 Pontiac engine?
How much crap in in your coolant system? I vaguely remember seeing inline coolant filters years ago, but I haven't noticed any recently. I'm sure there are some out there. What is your rad cap rated at?
MRMISTER, good subject as I am interested in the same thing. never thought about the inline filter though. I will keep up witht this thread!!!
Can't you just try to remove as much coolant mix as possible, fill the system with water, keep the upper hose disconnected from the radiator(with a rag in top radiator inlet to slow leakage) with a extension tube(an old shop vac plastic wand) to flush out the system? Keep water from garden hose flowing into top of radiator as water flows through engine and exits out disconnected hose. Make sure the heater is full hot to circulate through there as well. You will prolly need to collect the first gallon or so of coolant coming out of hose from engine for proper disposal as it'll contain antifreeze.
As MotoMike has written, perhaps that's the way most of us has always flushed the cooling systems out. There are flush additives also for this but I believe they are a waste of money. The object is getting the scale and crude out. First use whatever you can work around into openings to remove the scale still attatched. You must keep flushing the system till clear. I have used soap, Tide, to help. Not advertising but this brand seems to help even in cleaning fuel tanks. After driving awhile you may want to repeat. If the weather is warm leave out the antifreeze coolant till finished. May not be the pro way, but under a shade tree it's always worked. Placing a rag tightly around the hose as you stick it in the top of radiator and then from the lower hose gives you some pressure.
Instead of trying to come up with a flitration system for your system, just get the cooling system up and running. Then after you get some miles on the motor, drain the radiator and just run the coolant through a coffee filter or cheesecloth and put the coolant back in. To get the block better emptied it is a good idea to pull both block drains for either side of the motor. They are usally about an inch above the pan rail in the middle of the block. To drain the entire system the block, radiator and heater core should be emptied.
