Hot Tank

[Jim Paterson]

Can I hot tank a block with the sleeves in?

 

[Janicholson]

If they are Dry sleeves yes. If they are Wet sleeves, the rubber of the seals will be destroyed. In other words it depends on which series of engines is tanked. Jim

 

[Tom Fleming]

Jim Patterson: if they are wet sleeves, I personall would pull them. I was surprised at the amount of rust sludge I find in the sleeve areas. Pulling the sleeves allows the tanking process to better remove that sludge.

If you are to that point, why not take the sleeves out? Even if you don't have a sleeve puller, they can still be removed with a block of hard wood like oak and a hammer.

 

[Shawn MacAnanny]

If you are using a true hot tank with lye (sodium or potassium hydroxide) you will lose your cam bearings. Anything containing copper, or aluminum will dissolve, this includes babbitt bearings. Just a heads up. Caustic soda is cheap if you can get ahold of it, drain-o contains potassium and sodium hydroxide which can be use in homemade hot tanks.