Here is the whole thread, I hope the pictures come through
Rust Removal with molasses
Jan 14th, 2006, 2:11pm
I am going to attempt to de-rust the 340 I got for free. I will try the old
timer technique of soaking the rusty block in molasses. I have used
electrolysis for de-rusting my headers and brake drums but that technique is
only good
for objects line of sight of the electrodes. With molasses you can get inside
the block coolant passages also. I bought a bag of dry molasses from the
local farmers co-op for $13.00. Mixed with water the molasses produces a mild
acidic solution that eats rust. It just takes a long time like two to three
weeks, but I have time. I'm hoping that this works as to be able to remove
the
crank, pistons and cam without force. Here is a pic of the 340 in a tub. It
is stripped of heads and freeze plugs. I will post my progress.
Here is the yucky looking brew. You can see the bearing caps peeking through
the muck. I have a cover for it to help contain the budging sides. Many
articles have been written about using molasses to de-rust parts but I haven't
seen any pics. So far I have a whole $13 into this project and that's
including
the motor, so no biggy if it doesn't work or the block turns out to be
useless. And it is true that the stuff stinks to high heaven and that is why
I have
it in the basement in a sealed room with a window.
The molasses's bath seems to have worked. It was soaking for 13 days. I
pulled it out from the tub, rinsed it off and then spray DW-40 on it to
prevent it
from flash rusting.
Here are a couple of pics.
Now the really bad news!
One of the cyclinder has a hole in it. I know you can put in a sleeve, I am
going to try and take the crank out and go from there.
Here is a side by side comparison of the before and after photos.
Here are some questions and answer from another board that I wanted to
address here.
Quote:
Curious... what did you use to clean the molasses?
Water from the garden hose....it is now like the sticky goo in a jar
molasses. It is in dry powder form that you mix with water to make a soupy
mix.
Quote:
What do you do with the tub of molasses?
I still have it and plan on using it for more projects. It supposedly last
several months. Then just dump it anywhere...its molasses not bio hazard
material. They feed this stuff to horses.
Quote:
Is the co-op store the only place to find the dry molasses? I`d like to get
some.
Don't know the answer to that one but I got 50 Lbs of Feed grade Molasses for
13 bucks at the farmers co-op
Tips: keep it outside in a warm place. It stinks. I had my tub in a sealed
room with a heater located in the basement. Keeping it warm helps the
molasses ferment quicker.
Tadjou
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