Cooling system issues
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
FE blocks have one pipe plug on each side of the block .. about 2 inches above the pan rail below cylinders 3 and 7. Remove them and watch out for the torrent of muck... if nothing comes out, lightly poke the holes to loosen the accumulated sediment and thoroughly flush till water comes out clear,
.... this is the only way to remove the loose stuff that has settled at the bottom of the block.
To remove/reduce the amount of internal corrosion with the block installed, you'll have to get creative in order to circulate about two gallons of CLR through it for about 24 hours.
.... this is the only way to remove the loose stuff that has settled at the bottom of the block.
To remove/reduce the amount of internal corrosion with the block installed, you'll have to get creative in order to circulate about two gallons of CLR through it for about 24 hours.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 77
Likes: 1
FE blocks have one pipe plug on each side of the block .. about 2 inches above the pan rail below cylinders 3 and 7. Remove them and watch out for the torrent of muck... if nothing comes out, lightly poke the holes to loosen the accumulated sediment and thoroughly flush till water comes out clear,
.... this is the only way to remove the loose stuff that has settled at the bottom of the block.
To remove/reduce the amount of internal corrosion with the block installed, you'll have to get creative in order to circulate about two gallons of CLR through it for about 24 hours.
.... this is the only way to remove the loose stuff that has settled at the bottom of the block.
To remove/reduce the amount of internal corrosion with the block installed, you'll have to get creative in order to circulate about two gallons of CLR through it for about 24 hours.
And still not loosing water it sat for 5 years that I know of.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 7
From: NAMPA, ID.
I've spent hours cleaning the water jackets out with the engine in chassis. I had the heads off so I could just spray down the water jacket passages through the holes in the block. Even with this I had to use various tools to scrape the mud out. It took a long time but was worth the effort when the water finally runs clear.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4,093
Likes: 14
From: Lind, WA- Eastern WA
When you order new freeze plugs, get the brass ones. They don't rust trough like the steel ones.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
With all the freeze plugs removed I used a wire coat hanger, by cutting off the hook an twisted wire ends first. Then bend each one end like a hook.
The hook ends can be used to pull the crusty crap out from between each cylinder, also use a high pressure hose end on a garden hose.
Repeating this a number of times should get it cleaned all out.
PS should have some rain gear on to do this work.
Orich
The hook ends can be used to pull the crusty crap out from between each cylinder, also use a high pressure hose end on a garden hose.
Repeating this a number of times should get it cleaned all out.
PS should have some rain gear on to do this work.
Orich
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
I'm not referring to the freeze plugs. Go and actually look at your block based on my description and you'll see the pipe plugs... one on each side of the block.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Yes they are Allen heads. In the truck I prefer to remove the t stat and hoses and the core plugs. I then use a pressure washer to facilitate cleaning. These blocks when neglected shed a ton of metal and it's very hard to clean.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 10
From: **** hole San Jose ca.
I had to use heat an chill with ice a couple of times to get mine out.
Then had to use a hammer an a punch to get it cleared enough to get the built up of crap out of the way for it to start to drain.
Orich
Then had to use a hammer an a punch to get it cleared enough to get the built up of crap out of the way for it to start to drain.
Orich