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454 Crusader heat exchanger cleaning

D

djlenny

Member
Engine: 1998 XLI 454
Rear mount Heat exchanger

Wondering if i pull off both end caps 'in-place' and run a rifle cleaner through the cooling cells and then flush with water if this will provide much cleaning over muratic acid approach...?

AND

Will i be able to re-use the end caps or do i need to buy the ~$60 dollar end cap kit...?

Interested to hear some experiences on this, i have searched but found no clear direction really.

Thanks
 
I have removed the end caps on my 90 454's a couple of times and reused both the end caps and gaskets. If the gaskets appear to be in bad shape they can be purchased separately. There is also a small washer/gasket between the metal cap and the large rubber gasket...don't loose them.

Be careful when reaming out the tubes as not all of them go completely through from end to end. I have used a threaded rod to clean out the tubes but a stiff wire brush of the correct size would be better.

No experience with having them cleaned with acid.
 
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I did the same. Use a little RTV\Permatex when reassembling. I used a piece of threaded rod. Open it up, Use some compressed air to blow the water out then put a light at one end and look through the other. You can see where you have blockage. Mine was in remarkably good shape.
 
Thanks Erich and gardnersf for your responses.......apart from spilling some salt water in the engine room i am hoping i can pull the end caps off and do a visual inspection to see if there is much build up...I suspect that this is the first inspection / clean up in 15 years service so there has to be some gain in this check...I do have a slight temp rise on Port engine at speed that corrects itself under 2k rpm back to normal running temp...I am about to attempt removal / replacement of exhaust manifolds as i have a leak of coolant occuring as well....
 
Removing those end caps, especially at the end where the zinc is installed, may reveal a build up of broken zincs, and should be done every couple of years.
 
The acid approach will be far superior to a mechanical brushing...that said, given the 15 years of neglect, I can only encourage the inspection.

Given the history and the circumstances, I'd also suggest cleaning out the oil cooler...historically, its zinc will shed chucks that will clog the smaller holes in the cooler, especially at higher flow...acid will be the best use of time to clean it....
 
Be careful with the rifle bore brush. I had the same idea and used a 22 cal. brush it worked on a couple but when I sent it down the third it got stuck. I thought no problem , I'll just pull it back out. The brush separated from the threaded adapter and is stuck in the heat exchanger. I was worried sick about it but mechanic said not to worry as the saltwater will eat the carbon wire core up in a month, it will go out the exhaust and she'll be good as new. I sure hope so. He said they are designed so you can lose a few tubes and still be on the safe side. Mine like yours looks amazingly good. I bought replacement end cap rubber gaskets for around $5.00 ea. If you lose the small white washers, I was told to use the faucet washers available at most home improvement or hardware stores.
 
makomark said:
The acid approach will be far superior to a mechanical brushing...that said, given the 15 years of neglect, I can only encourage the inspection.

Given the history and the circumstances, I'd also suggest cleaning out the oil cooler...historically, its zinc will shed chucks that will clog the smaller holes in the cooler, especially at higher flow...acid will be the best use of time to clean it....
Click to expand...

Thanks Mako Mark, i actually went one better and purchased two new oil coolers (cheaper option that trying to sweat off ends and re-weld In my world)...

I will definitely do a manual inspection 'in-place' and see what turns up (or comes out!) and re-test temp etc...
 
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