need to replace my radiator, seems like it's coming apart after 2 years,,, when I pulled the head to rebuild it ,,,, the block had what looked like massive rust build up in the water passages, I've heard that oxalic acid is best to flush the sytem and then use baking soda to nuteral ize....problem is I can't find it any where so what would be the next best thing to use for a solid flush?

200 ci 6 popper, 3 spd manual, 3 row radiator 1 bbl carb

 

[sm=icon_rofl.gif]1 bbl carb!

 

yeah I'm trying to keep it stock like the day it came off the assbly line

 

I've tried various commercial radiator cleaner/flushes with pretty limited success.Dipping a disassembled block seems to be the only thing that works properly.

I suggest you fit a Tefba filter (or Gano or sock)to the top radiator hose regardless of how successful you think the flush is... for a few months you will be pulling chunks of crap out of it, but it will gradually clear to the point you dont need it at all.

 

Plain water is the only flush you should ever use.

 

I heard that flushing is illegal unless performed by a technician at a licensed shop with the proper certificates to do such work. Also, I thought that certain types of reclaiming devices are supposed to be used so that it's properly disposed of. ehh . . . maybe only here in California.

 

You'll be sorry if you flush the system. You'll be tearing out the heater core after it springs a leak from the flushing. If the block is that clogged then you should remove the motor and tear it down. Have the block dipped,burned, whatever the local speed/machine shop recommends to eliminate the clogged water jackets. Then again, maybe the heater core in your model is an easy tear out. Its not so much fun in mine.

 

Yep Michael you are dead on about the heater core needing to be replaced IF he uses a radiator flush acid. Plain water will flush the system just fine, and it should be done once a year, and add new coolant. This is just common maintenance procedures.

 

flushing with water is fine provided you have a maintained system to start with otherwise it justclears enough gunk to make you feel like you have achieved something (but really the problem is not solved).

in this case, its (a) pull motor down and start with new rad and heater core or its (b) trap the gunk in a filter. I know which one i'd be doing first