flushing 350 block
Question:
Pull out the block drain plugs (small brass or steel plugs just above the oil pan rail at the bottom of the block) and route them out with a piece of wire until the flow free, then leave them open while flushing to get out the sediment that settles into the bottom of the cooling jackets. I do this each year when winterizing the boat and am amazed at the crud that comes out, especially since the engines are only a year old. -Greg – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> This week I’m finally getting around to flushing the 350 block in my 56 > belair. This is in an effort to find out why it’s heating up like crazy > at an idle. Since the radiator is new I would like to limit my work to > just flushing the block. I’ve located the block plugs on each side now > where do I go from here? Do I simply attach a garden hose to the inlet > on the intake manifold and let it rip? What if there is so much crud in > the water jackets that ordinary water pressure doesn’t penetrate it? > What are my options then? Should the motor be running when I flush? Any > help is much appreciated. Thanks. > B Chase > One or two really good flushing jobs should be plenty. If it still >overheats, I’d look at other areas for the reason. >– >.boB >97 H-D 1200S >97 H-D FXDWG – Turbocharged!! >01 Dakota Quad Sport, 5.9/Auto/4×4 >83 GMC Jimmy (beater) >65 427SC Cobra – On the Road!!!!
Response:
If it is heating up only at idle and not under power, it’s probably an air flow problem and not a water flow problem. Are you still running the original 2-core radiator, no shroud, and 4-blade fan? AC? I’ve replaced my original radiator with a "Desert Cooler" 4-core one, added a shroud, and have a 6-blade fan on my ‘55 Chevy wagon w/ a 350/700R4 setup. No problems idling or under "normal" conditions, but I still had a heating problem crossing the Mojave desert last summer at 65mph, so I’m going to put in a new thermostat and try Redline Water Wetter before resorting to a new water pump. -Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > This week I’m finally getting around to flushing the 350 block in my 56 > belair. This is in an effort to find out why it’s heating up like crazy > at an idle. Since the radiator is new I would like to limit my work to > just flushing the block. I’ve located the block plugs on each side now > where do I go from here? Do I simply attach a garden hose to the inlet > on the intake manifold and let it rip? What if there is so much crud in > the water jackets that ordinary water pressure doesn’t penetrate it? > What are my options then? Should the motor be running when I flush? Any > help is much appreciated. Thanks. > B Chase
Response:
Overheating at idle is either fan clutch if so equipped or the water pump. Dean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > This week I’m finally getting around to flushing the 350 block in my 56 > belair. This is in an effort to find out why it’s heating up like crazy > at an idle. Since the radiator is new I would like to limit my work to > just flushing the block. I’ve located the block plugs on each side now > where do I go from here? Do I simply attach a garden hose to the inlet > on the intake manifold and let it rip? What if there is so much crud in > the water jackets that ordinary water pressure doesn’t penetrate it? > What are my options then? Should the motor be running when I flush? Any > help is much appreciated. Thanks. > B Chase
Response:
you can also use cascade to flush the motor out. Add it in, hook up the hose and run it for a little while before you empty it out. It won’t harm the engine, and is specially designed for cutting grease and gunk.
Response:
Start the car with the radiator cap off. See if you get water flowing through the radiator after it warms up. If not, then either water pump or thermostat. Before you attach waterpump, pull the thermostat. Put it in a pot of water on the stove. Get a 300 degree thermometer and put it in the water. Fire up the stove to boil the water. See if the thermostat opens up and at what temp. Usually this sucker will fail and in turn fail the waterpump. DF – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > This week I’m finally getting around to flushing the 350 block in my 56 > belair. This is in an effort to find out why it’s heating up like crazy > at an idle. Since the radiator is new I would like to limit my work to > just flushing the block. I’ve located the block plugs on each side now > where do I go from here? Do I simply attach a garden hose to the inlet > on the intake manifold and let it rip? What if there is so much crud in > the water jackets that ordinary water pressure doesn’t penetrate it? > What are my options then? Should the motor be running when I flush? Any > help is much appreciated. Thanks. > B Chase
Response:
This week I’m finally getting around to flushing the 350 block in my 56 belair. This is in an effort to find out why it’s heating up like crazy at an idle. Since the radiator is new I would like to limit my work to just flushing the block. I’ve located the block plugs on each side now where do I go from here? Do I simply attach a garden hose to the inlet on the intake manifold and let it rip? What if there is so much crud in the water jackets that ordinary water pressure doesn’t penetrate it? What are my options then? Should the motor be running when I flush? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks. B Chase
Response:
> This week I’m finally getting around to flushing the 350 block in my 56 > belair. This is in an effort to find out why it’s heating up like crazy > at an idle. Since the radiator is new I would like to limit my work to > just flushing the block. I’ve located the block plugs on each side now > where do I go from here? Do I simply attach a garden hose to the inlet > on the intake manifold and let it rip? What if there is so much crud in > the water jackets that ordinary water pressure doesn’t penetrate it? > What are my options then? Should the motor be running when I flush? Any > help is much appreciated. Thanks. > B Chase
One or two really good flushing jobs should be plenty. If it still overheats, I’d look at other areas for the reason. — .boB 97 H-D 1200S 97 H-D FXDWG – Turbocharged!! 01 Dakota Quad Sport, 5.9/Auto/4×4 83 GMC Jimmy (beater) 65 427SC Cobra – On the Road!!!!
