Snake Oil Science

[Norm's Coupe]

As mentioned, the 218 does not have a screen in the tube, only the filler cap. Took it off when I rebuilt the engine to clean and paint it. It's just an empty tube.

[Young Ed]

Don I've been into flatheads as new as 54 and don't recall ever seeing a screen in that tube. The engine in my truck is a 52 and doesnt have one for sure.

[Reg Evans]

I've had several short blocks around here and weather Dodge or Plymouth they all have had a sort of metal expanded metal piece in them. They were all from the L A Plant though.

April Fools !!!!

[Don Coatney]

I've had several short blocks around here and weather Dodge or Plymouth they all have had a sort of metal expanded metal piece in them. They were all from the L A Plant though.

April Fools !!!!

Shine using a straw? Must be a California thing:rolleyes:

[Reg Evans]

If I remember correctly it was a safety measure to keep the strawberries out of my wind pipe cause I was inhaling the stuff.

[FMSPEED49]

Update .... 500 miles in

Oil clean, no residue, all compresion specs holding, slight carb adjustments, running good. No negitives at all. No oil burning.

[central52]

Should this "Bon Ami" procedure be a part of a regular maintenance schedule when tuning up the car, like every year or two? If the engine is running fairly smooth now and not smoking, would doing this procedure make any difference?

I'm reminded of the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Ed P.

[FMSPEED49]

Should this "Bon Ami" procedure be a part of a regular maintenance schedule when tuning up the car, like every year or two? If the engine is running fairly smooth now and not smoking, would doing this procedure make any difference?

I'm reminded of the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Ed P.

I have no clue, But I would think, that if the rings are seated well, there would be no need for it, and if over done it would prematurly wear the rings.

On the other hand, if it smokes or loses compression, I don't see the harm. If it puts off a rebuilt for 10,000 or more miles, that is 5-10 years on most of these cars.

[Reg Evans]

FMSPEED49,

Just checking in for an update on the engine to the Bon-Ami elixir. I also wondered if any of you other guys that said you were going to try it did ?

I have a long block 241 with an average of 110lbs of compression in each cylinder but it still blows out smoke when reved up on the temporary engine stand ....and another engine with over 100 lbs in #2-6 but ~15lbs less in #1.

To Bon-Ami ...or not to Bon-Ami is the question.

Any updates?

[Don Coatney]

FMSPEED49,

Just checking in for an update on the engine to the Bon-Ami elixir. I also wondered if any of you other guys that said you were going to try it did ?

I have a long block 241 with an average of 110lbs of compression in each cylinder but it still blows out smoke when reved up on the temporary engine stand ....and another engine with over 100 lbs in #2-6 but ~15lbs less in #1.

To Bon-Ami ...or not to Bon-Ami is the question.

Any updates?

Geez Reg;

What spurred this quest:confused:

[Niel Hoback]

I am the other guinea pig that tried the Bon-Ami stunt. I only did it because I am going to swap engines shortly and I wanted to see if the theory was workable.

Immediately after using the cleaner mixed with gas, the engine began burning oil at a ferocious rate. I have a good 300 miles on it since then and the oil burning is not as bad as it was at first, but has since returned to its previous rate.

It was burning oil pretty badly on decelleration and now its somewhat better, but still burning oil.

On the whole, if your rings are not seated well, Bon-Ami will help. If you are trying to somehow get the rings to seal better than they are after having already seated to the walls,,,, don't try it. It will not help. It may even cause them to stick in the grooves and stop wipinglike tehy are supposed to. The only SnakeOil I have used with success is Marvel Mystery Oil, and I suspect it was because the rings were stuck from having set for several years without use.

I can see where it would work if your cylinder walls were new and smooth, and the rings too, were new.

As a cheap "cylinder hone in a can", it has possibilities, as a 15 minute re-ring job, definitely not.

I am happy to report that as a sida benefit, there are now no Known mosquitos in my neighborhood.

[Reg Evans]

Well "Young Don"......I'm just trying to do my part to eradicate Global Warming and at the same time......save a few bucks.

White Smoke = wasted dollars out the tail pipe.