Think I have a right to be PO’D - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72c20customcamper · 03-30-2022, 04:21 PM

Well I did my valve rockers for the Chevelle because of the parts the builder used and got to looking at the radiator because the car was running warmish at highway speeds checked timing air fuel ratio all that was good . My first inclination was the rad not big enough for the new 496 so I opted for a new larger Dewitt’s . When I went to drain this one I noticed some brown trash in the antifreeze. After I get it out I find this a majority of the tubes plugged with rust scale . Tried backflushing it little change . Now the engine before ran cool and I didn’t notice any scale in the rad when I took out the old motor . It had to come from the block and I ran 50/50 antifreeze and distilled water from day one. My assumption is he didn’t clean it or flush it out after hot tanking it . So now I’m into it for another 1200 that shouldn’t have to have been spent.

I backflushed the motor and got some crud out today . I’m going to try to use the chemical flush but I’m not sure if will harm the new aluminum radiator . I did install one of these coolant filters but I hate the way it looks . I’m waiting on a reply from the builder but I’m sure he’ll say it was my fault . I’m going to see if I can get the old one boiled out and flushed And maybe salvage it

LS short box · 03-30-2022, 04:39 PM

Well that's no good. I know DeWitt's aren't cheap. I would contact DeWitt's and get their thoughts. Send them pics.

**Boog** · 03-30-2022, 05:58 PM

Regarding the sludge, I once used Dupont cooling system clean out on a truck with a rad leak and thought it'd be good to clean the system out before I had it fixed. I flushed for the longest with a garden hose over and over, then poured the Dupont in it and let it run a while, then thoroughly flushed that out. Lots of crap came out of it. The next day the water pump started leaking.

I guess it was jus time for it to be replaced as well. The inside of the rad sure looked good though.

**Steeveedee** · 03-30-2022, 06:16 PM

That's pretty annoying, all right. DeWitt should weigh in, but it would appear that oxalic acid should dissolve the iron.

http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream...29%2032-36.pdf

Brands with oxalic acid. If you have wood bleach, that's likely the same thing.

https://www.google.com/search?q=radi...hrome&ie=UTF-8

72c20customcamper · 03-30-2022, 08:17 PM

DeWitt suggested something like evaporust or Rust911 , plug the upper port invert and pour in from the lower port. Let it sit overnight . Flush and repete if there is still rust in it . If it dont work I'll just bring it to rad shop and have them high pressure reverse flush it .

I already bought the new one but it would be nice to have a spare .

**Steeveedee** · 03-30-2022, 08:35 PM

Actually, evaporust is a much better idea. It doesn't touch other metals, hardly at all. It might just take a few tries, or some time. Leave some headspace and rotate the radiator so that there is fresher soup on the rust. I've seen it do some amazing cleanup. Good luck!

**special-K** · 03-31-2022, 08:07 AM

Yep. I'd be upset too

72c20customcamper · 03-31-2022, 07:00 PM

All back together and sounding great . I put fresh antifreeze and distilled water took and extra 3/4 to a gallon with the larger rad. No crud so far . The new spal fans are awesome the old setup had flex a lite fans . The new ones come on and the volt gage hardly drops and goes back to 14 . Old ones ran it down to 12v on the meter. And she runs at 180 at 65 again . Fans hardly run even in traffic but we’ll see what they do in 90 degree it was 66 today

**Boog** · 03-31-2022, 07:22 PM

So did you do a chemical flush? That filter is mighty clean. Were the Spal fans a separate upgrade or included with the new rad?

72c20customcamper · 03-31-2022, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

So did you do a chemical flush? That filter is mighty clean. Were the Spal fans a separate upgrade or included with the new rad?

I did a chemical flush with some Dupont stuff with the previous radiator .Then I completely back flushed the motor then put the new rad in . The new rad was a complete unit the sell it either bare or with the shroud and fans

I'll run the filter for the summer see if it catches anything if not then I'll take it off and put a new hose on

**Dieselwrencher** · 04-02-2022, 01:46 PM

That's a beautiful Chevelle! How clean was the first radiator before the new 496? if that new engine had that must rust in the coolant jackets, I'd definitely keep an eye on it like you are with the filter. Holy scale batman!

03-30-2022, 04:21 PM	#1
72c20customcamper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Catskill Mountains,NY Posts: 8,144	Think I have a right to be PO’D Well I did my valve rockers for the Chevelle because of the parts the builder used and got to looking at the radiator because the car was running warmish at highway speeds checked timing air fuel ratio all that was good . My first inclination was the rad not big enough for the new 496 so I opted for a new larger Dewitt’s . When I went to drain this one I noticed some brown trash in the antifreeze. After I get it out I find this a majority of the tubes plugged with rust scale . Tried backflushing it little change . Now the engine before ran cool and I didn’t notice any scale in the rad when I took out the old motor . It had to come from the block and I ran 50/50 antifreeze and distilled water from day one. My assumption is he didn’t clean it or flush it out after hot tanking it . So now I’m into it for another 1200 that shouldn’t have to have been spent. I backflushed the motor and got some crud out today . I’m going to try to use the chemical flush but I’m not sure if will harm the new aluminum radiator . I did install one of these coolant filters but I hate the way it looks . I’m waiting on a reply from the builder but I’m sure he’ll say it was my fault . I’m going to see if I can get the old one boiled out and flushed And maybe salvage it Attached Images __________________ Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary.

03-30-2022, 04:39 PM	#2
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 1,924	Re: Think I have a right to be PO’D Well that's no good. I know DeWitt's aren't cheap. I would contact DeWitt's and get their thoughts. Send them pics.

03-30-2022, 05:58 PM	#3
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 12,957	Re: Think I have a right to be PO’D Regarding the sludge, I once used Dupont cooling system clean out on a truck with a rad leak and thought it'd be good to clean the system out before I had it fixed. I flushed for the longest with a garden hose over and over, then poured the Dupont in it and let it run a while, then thoroughly flushed that out. Lots of crap came out of it. The next day the water pump started leaking. I guess it was jus time for it to be replaced as well. The inside of the rad sure looked good though. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

03-30-2022, 06:16 PM	#4
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,093	Re: Think I have a right to be PO’D That's pretty annoying, all right. DeWitt should weigh in, but it would appear that oxalic acid should dissolve the iron. http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream...29%2032-36.pdf Brands with oxalic acid. If you have wood bleach, that's likely the same thing. https://www.google.com/search?q=radi...hrome&ie=UTF-8 __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

03-30-2022, 08:17 PM	#5
72c20customcamper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Catskill Mountains,NY Posts: 8,144	Re: Think I have a right to be PO’D DeWitt suggested something like evaporust or Rust911 , plug the upper port invert and pour in from the lower port. Let it sit overnight . Flush and repete if there is still rust in it . If it dont work I'll just bring it to rad shop and have them high pressure reverse flush it . I already bought the new one but it would be nice to have a spare . __________________ Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary.

03-30-2022, 08:35 PM	#6
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,093	Re: Think I have a right to be PO’D Actually, evaporust is a much better idea. It doesn't touch other metals, hardly at all. It might just take a few tries, or some time. Leave some headspace and rotate the radiator so that there is fresher soup on the rust. I've seen it do some amazing cleanup. Good luck! __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

03-31-2022, 08:07 AM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Think I have a right to be PO’D Yep. I'd be upset too __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-31-2022, 07:00 PM	#8
72c20customcamper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Catskill Mountains,NY Posts: 8,144	Re: Think I have a right to be PO’D All back together and sounding great . I put fresh antifreeze and distilled water took and extra 3/4 to a gallon with the larger rad. No crud so far . The new spal fans are awesome the old setup had flex a lite fans . The new ones come on and the volt gage hardly drops and goes back to 14 . Old ones ran it down to 12v on the meter. And she runs at 180 at 65 again . Fans hardly run even in traffic but we’ll see what they do in 90 degree it was 66 today Attached Images __________________ Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary.

03-31-2022, 07:22 PM	#9
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 12,957	Re: Think I have a right to be PO’D So did you do a chemical flush? That filter is mighty clean. Were the Spal fans a separate upgrade or included with the new rad? __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

04-02-2022, 01:46 PM	#11
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,135	Re: Think I have a right to be PO’D That's a beautiful Chevelle! How clean was the first radiator before the new 496? if that new engine had that must rust in the coolant jackets, I'd definitely keep an eye on it like you are with the filter. Holy scale batman! __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*



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