What's a good way to flush a crankcase?

[bnelson]

I've just aquired a sbc 350 that's been sitting for over 20 years, and now that I've got it pulled out and mounted on a test stand, I want to flush the crankcase to get all the crap out of it.

Suggestions? Low $$ is what I'm looking for.

 

[nikogto]

What are your plans with the motor? Run it as it is, or re-building it?

 

[stevenp3762]

On a stand pull the pan an go at it. On a running motor, go old school, put a quart of kerosene in with the oil and run it for 10 minutes. Then drain.

 

[Damon]

Just be careful flushing old motors if your plan is to run it as-is. If they have significant buildup you can flush all that stuff right down to the oil pump screen and clog it up. The crud often hides out in places not easily visible- like if the lifter valley. If the valve decks are dirty, the lifter valley will be twice as dirty.

 

[jasong]

I heard running diesel fuel thru it via a drill ran primer thru the dist hole works good.

 

[millpondmonster]

Since you have it on the stand, I would drop the pan, timing chain cover, and pull the intake manifold and clean it with diesel or kerosene. It would be a good idea to change the gaskets and seals after sitting for twenty years anyway.

 

[CorkyE]

^^^ This ^^^ No magic solution to make a 20 year old engine like new with a can of magic clean. I've used the kerosene before but only for an engine that's been sitting a couple years, not twenty years.

 

[bnelson]

I know there's no such things as magic for reviving an old motor. As to what I'm going to end up doing with it depends upon of I can get it to run and how much it smokes.
Just after setting for this long, I just wonder about what's solidified in the oil galleries, passageways, other areas, and what can be done as a preemptive action. Right now, the motor doesn't warrant going elbows deep into it until I know how it runs.

 

[bnelson]

It only has 40k miles on it.

 

[stevenp3762]

More than likely , living in Texas and having 40000 miles, your going to fine a real nice clean engine that runs perfectly. Just soak the cylinders with marvel mystery oil for a few day, turn it over by hand after that, then pull the coil wire and spin it over for 30 seconds a few times to get some oil up to the top end. Fire that baby up and enjoy it.