New engine, cleaning oil/coolant mix off old parts

[Dan Petracek]

Hey,

37 year old SBC died, and I plan on replacing it with a Goodwrench crate 350. Not worried about the old block, might end up scrapping it. Problem is the radiator, heater core, exhaust, and intake manifold have a mix of oil and coolant in them, along with everything under the engine.

I plan on re-using the intake manifold and exhaust at least. Intake is aluminum, exhaust is cast iron manifolds with dual pipes, and I’m fine with using a scrapyard radiator and heater core if that’s a better option. What would you recommend to clean the engine-milkshake out of everything?

Thanks.

Topic

[college man]

If the parts are off the car. I would use hot water and dawn dish
detergent get a big tote from walmart and submerge anything you can
and soak it until clean. you may need to repeat. They also sell stuff
called purple power in the auto isle which works pretty well also.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/16778257?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227019585099&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40839618992&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78652671272&veh=sem

[Ingvar]

radiator, heater core, exhaust, and intake manifold have a mix of oil and coolant in them

As INSIDE of them? Scrap it. Oil likely caked inside at least exhaust and whatever else is operating temp hot. Good luck on getting THAT out. :stick: Unless I misunderstood you and “the stuff” is on the outside. Kerosine works miracles, if soaked overnight, you know.

[Lorrin Barth]

I think I’d consider a new radiator. Overheating could ruin a new engine. The other parts you could take to a machine shop and have them run through their “dishwasher”.

[Dan Petracek]

[quote=”ukrkoz” post=119710]
As INSIDE of them?[/quote]

Yeah, inside, engine had some minor problems…

Never ran for long after the oil started leaking everywhere, only ran in crawler gear long enough to get on a trailer, and no cat in the exhaust, so maybe that’ll help me some.

I’ll get rid of the radiator and heater and try the soap/kerosene/cleaner (whichever seems to work best) on the exhaust and intake. If that doesn’t work I can try the machine shop. Thanks everyone.

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[Ingvar]

[quote=”Letters” post=119685]Hey,

Problem is the radiator, heater core, exhaust, and intake manifold have a mix of oil and coolant in them, along with everything under the engine.

[/quote]

You misunderstood my question. Your post says oil and milkshake are INSIDE the radiator, intake manifold and exhaust. Those parts are done then. If you have it on the OUTSIDE of those parts, even purple engine cleaner from any parts store will work. Small removable parts need to be soaked in kerosine overnight and then washed off with soapy water and rag. Kerosine is very oily.

[Dan Petracek]

Ah, ok. It was getting pumped through the cooling system as well as going through some of the cylinders. Intake manifold had it in the coolant passages. Thanks.

[Author]

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