Radiator shop

[finkmobile]

I've got a impossibly clogged intake manifold and its time to dunk the bugger in something that will get rid of all the nastyness.  Anyone know of a radiator shop in Vancouver that actually has a caustic tank? It was taken to a shop in North Van but they didn't have the tank. Lemme knoowwww I want power assisted brakes and a non icy carb.  For the record, this thing has a bunch of stuff done to it in attempts to unclog it. I bought it clogged, was told that I could just take a torch to it and it'll all come out. Yeah. That didn't work. Stupid me for buying a clogged intake manifold 
Thanks

[BUSDADDY]

Tried drilling a 1/4" hole at the outer apex of each bend? You'd be amazed how easy it is to access the center of the tube from there, easy to weld up after too. 

[finkmobile]

That's the only thing I haven't tried.....

I really don't want to weld. I want to dip it in a tank of no return!

[beetlemandan]

lay a beating into the pre heater with the ball end of  a ball-peen. you'll be surprised how nicely it works. carbon is brittle and it will come out in chunks. it takes about 30 minutes and your arms will hurt, but your pre-heater will preheat again

[finkmobile]

lay a beating into the pre heater with the ball end of  a ball-peen. you'll be surprised how nicely it works. carbon is brittle and it will come out in chunks. it takes about 30 minutes and your arms will hurt, but your pre-heater will preheat again

I've been doing that, and soaking it in carb cleaner and liquid wrench for days on end and only a smidgen comes out.  Seriously, I've been attacking this thing weekly since last year. Torch? Nada. Hammering? Nada.  Wire with drill? Nada. I've got the majority of it out but I can't get the rest, it even deceives me by letting a bit of solvent leak out when I soak it.  Its so clogged that I'm tired of dealing with the damn thing and I want it have a nice bath.

[BUSDADDY]

I've gotta ask, if you don't want to weld how did you get access to the oxy/acetelene torch to attempt the burn out? a propane torch won't work.

Maybe consider one of these: http://www.princessauto.com/power-tools/power-tool-accessories/drill-accessories/8096554-1/4-x-12-hss-drill-bit

[pittwagen]

Just did mine today.  Got tired of the bucking and jumping and hesitation.  One side of the pre heat pipe was hot and the other side I could hold onto after a 1/2 hour drive. 

Car needed a new muffler so I left the manifold on the engine and used a variety of wires, and hammered on the pre heat pipe.  Lots of air as well.  Finallly broke through with a braided cable on the end of the drill.  Kept flaring the end a little more after a couple of passes so it cut a nice path through the crap.

Put the new muffler on and now the pre heat pipe is the same temp on both sides.

If it plugs up again I am going to drill a hole as BUSDADDY says but I am going to well a little fitting on with a threaded port so I can get at this easier.  Always plugs up near the center!!

[Bruce]

....  Anyone know of a radiator shop in Vancouver that actually has a caustic tank?

I think this is not an option.  I think the caustic solution will eat the aluminum.
Have you tried to use the end of a clutch cable/e-brake cable?

[finkmobile]

I've gotta ask, if you don't want to weld how did you get access to the oxy/acetelene torch to attempt the burn out? a propane torch won't work.

Maybe consider one of these: http://www.princessauto.com/power-tools/power-tool-accessories/drill-accessories/8096554-1/4-x-12-hss-drill-bit

Hm, I must admit that I personally didn't take a torch to it. My boyfriend was the one that did it, I'm not really sure what kind of torch he used as I wasn't there. :/  I don't really want to weld just cause I'm afraid of doing a shitty job.

....  Anyone know of a radiator shop in Vancouver that actually has a caustic tank?

I think this is not an option.  I think the caustic solution will eat the aluminum.
Have you tried to use the end of a clutch cable/e-brake cable?

Really? Well, it never hurts to ask about it. And yeah, I've been attacking with a cable.  Its just super clogged in the middle.  I just wanted to get this cleaned and done with so that I can install it at the same time as my new muffler. I already have one installed, just no nipple for the brake booster.

Woe.

Canadian Radiator says they flush heat exchangers.....could they flush my manifold? Or is that a whole different thing???
http://www.canadaradiators.com/radiators.html

Forgive my ignorance and general girlyness

[BUSDADDY]

Heat exchangers don't usually clog up with carbon and rust, most of those processes also require it to still be partially open to flow, not plugged solid. As Bruce says, if it'll dissolve the carbon and rust it'll likely dissolve the manifold too

If your existing one flows why not have a brake booster nipple brazed onto it? You could even attach it with JB weld if sparks and flames jeeb you out too much

[Bruce]

Have you tried to use the end of a clutch cable/e-brake cable?

Really? Well, it never hurts to ask about it. And yeah, I've been attacking with a cable.  Its just super clogged in the middle. 

If you have an old e-brake cable, cut it so it's long enough to reach just over half way through the heat riser pipe.  Stick the threaded end in your drill and work it.  Make sure you always turn the drill in the direction of the strands.  If you go the other way, it'll unwind into a mess.  The ends of the strands will naturally flare out, creating the perfect tubular wire brush.

....... general girlyness

I like that term.

[finkmobile]

Heat exchangers don't usually clog up with carbon and rust, most of those processes also require it to still be partially open to flow, not plugged solid. As Bruce says, if it'll dissolve the carbon and rust it'll likely dissolve the manifold too

If your existing one flows why not have a brake booster nipple brazed onto it? You could even attach it with JB weld if sparks and flames jeeb you out too much

I thought about that but then I bought this used one from this guy and he mentioned that it had a little carbon in it. I saw all the posts on the Samba about how to clean it and thought to myself, "Hell, that's easy! I can clean that!" But its proved to be a nightmare.  I might just end up doing it the JB Weld way. Just since I bought this damn thing I decided might as well keep on trying to unclog it!

Have you tried to use the end of a clutch cable/e-brake cable?

Really? Well, it never hurts to ask about it. And yeah, I've been attacking with a cable.  Its just super clogged in the middle. 

If you have an old e-brake cable, cut it so it's long enough to reach just over half way through the heat riser pipe.  Stick the threaded end in your drill and work it.  Make sure you always turn the drill in the direction of the strands.  If you go the other way, it'll unwind into a mess.  The ends of the strands will naturally flare out, creating the perfect tubular wire brush.

....... general girlyness

I like that term.

Yep, I've been doing that method. Also, I've been having to make it shorter cause it'll just wind itself up if its too long. Then I take the hammer to it and beat it till the neighbors wonder what the hell I'm doing.  It's worked slowly for the longest time, but I've hit the tricksy part in the middle where I just can't get anymore out.

I guess I'll give it another go. Boy do I like doing things the hard way!