Engine Flush
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Joshua Tree, CA
Engine Flush
I have a 1971 Ford F-500 with a 390 engine, it have been sitting for 5 years, I live in the dersert, the intake was covered but the holes in the valve covers were not covered or pluged, I am certain that sand has blown in these holes. I have not pulled the valve covers off yet, but I am as I know there has to be sand in them. what I am wondering, is what would be a good solvent to was through the engine. I was thinking maybe diesil fuel? just to wash it through the oil pan before I crank it over, it will run, but I do not want to cause more problems by cranking it with sand in it. Any ideas on what to use to flush it out. ?
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 327
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From: Saskatchewan
If you are really worried about sand, and I would be too, Your best bet would be to take apart the intire engine. I know its not what you want to here, but it is the only way you can get all the sand out of there.
When I blew the motor in my dirt bike, I flushed the block out with diesel, it seem to work good, but I only had aluminum peices of piston inside the steel crank case so I wasn't to worried about the peices doing damage to the motor.
When I blew the motor in my dirt bike, I flushed the block out with diesel, it seem to work good, but I only had aluminum peices of piston inside the steel crank case so I wasn't to worried about the peices doing damage to the motor.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Arlington Texas
I would pull the valve covers and use a vacuum on the heads then I would pour about 3 gallons of diesil down each head, then drop the oil pan after draining and wash out pan and use a pump up sprayer to complete the washing of the inside of the block! You know its only about a 60-40 chance of this getting all the sand so after you get it back together I would put thin oil in it and run it just till it gets hot then drain and change oil filter again!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Shreveport, La.
Originally Posted by Joe fix it
Your best bet would be to take apart the intire engine. I know its not what you want to here, but it is the only way you can get all the sand out of there.
That sand is going to be in more places than you can even begin to see or reach without disassembly. Even a vacuum isn't going to pick up all the sand that's going to be visable on top of the heads.
Take it apart, take it to a maching shop, let them put pieces through a vat cleaning. It would be wise to let them know about the sand issue before hand.
All that's if you want the engine to last.
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Arlington Texas
I agree with KenB but if you have to spend the money for a rebuild or a dismantle I would try the flush these old engines are resilent and you might pull the head and not find its as bad as you think, But then I don't live in the desert!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Shreveport, La.
Even a little bit of sand is too much, and can internally turn an otherwise tight engine into an old blower wheezer in no time.
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Joshua Tree, CA
Thanks for all the input and advise. I pulled the valve covers and could not believe how clean it was inside. The was a small amount of dust, not what I would call sand around the openings. But nothing on the heads. Man I never get that lucky. I cleaned up the valve covers and put them back on. Ramtoo, I will use a thin oil and run it as you mentioned, I already have the 10 Qts of oil and 2 filters. Tomorrow it will run. I can't wait to hear it run again. It has a 20,000 pound winch that can do alot of things. Thanks again....
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