Rust on engine block

[54Illinois]

This engine I pulled had the pleasure of many little animals peeing on it while it was stored in a barn. The head has rust, as well as the block.

What would you suggest to remove the rust?

[JBNeal]

scrape the big crud off, wire brush the smaller crud off, pressure wash all the rest of the crud off, soap and water scrub the casting, apply Rust-Cure (or equivalent) on the dry casting and let it do its job...I've gone back with a smaller steel brush and scrubbed off any obvious deposits that won't take paint well and apply more Rust-Cure to make a continuous layer of phosporic acid treatment.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Yes old MoPar flatheads engines do get taken over by rodents....

Another Dodge engine with the same problem I dealt with!

[PatS....]

hot tanking the block and head should do the trick

[pflaming]

I used various cleaners but found Oven Off to be most helpful. Used the putty knife, steel brush, etc and then finally steamed it thoroughly. They clean up, rust, dung, or whatever. Lots of work. Got to it, it's worth it. See mine run on You tube. Mopar Dodge Flathead and Mopar

Flathead-6. Instead of painting I clearcoated it five or six times. I like the "old" look and it should clean up ok.

Edited October 16, 2011 by pflaming

[aero3113]

I had mine hot tanked then I used some zinc cromate primer, and aircraft engine hi-temp (500 deg) silver spray paint. For the exhaust manifold I used Rustoleium BBQ high temp spray paint (I think 1500 deg.)So far it has been holding up really well.

[54Illinois]

When dipping/soaking a block, should the water tube and cam bearings be removed?

[Dodgeb4ya]

Both should be removed for the best cleaning. Cam bearings can be eaten up by cleaning chemicals.

[aero3113]

Both should be removed for the best cleaning. Cam bearings can be eaten up by cleaning chemicals.

Dodgeb4ya is right, all should be removed.