Removing stuck pistons

[atomman]

Many, and I do mean many years ago, you could get 2-5% tincture of Iodine. Pour it in the hole, and let it soak. Some reason unknown to me, it will soften up the rust and you will be able to knock out the piston. Old farmers would use it on their machinery to break loose nuts. Can't buy it any more in the pharmacy.
atomman

[bobdylan]

Thanks that is one I have not heard of. I am sure it could be found. Bob

[bobdylan]

Was stored with out heads, looks better than some engines I have that had heads that water got into .

[1965GMC1000]

I had IH with KB 10 red diamond one piston was stuck after many weeks of using every pentatrating fluids and a oak tree limb 12 pound hammer 4 wacks each day for two weeks it fell out the bottom no damage to rings or cylinder walls be pashent use to be (wsignman)

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[abus319]

[QUOTE]Many, and I do mean many years ago, you could get 2-5% tincture of Iodine. Pour it in the hole, and let it soak. Some reason unknown to me, it will soften up the rust and you will be able to knock out the piston. Old farmers would use it on their machinery to break loose nuts./QUOTE]

interesting idea!! I did some research on it and it seems to be a valid approach. There were patent applications on it back in the 30s.

[George Bongert]

Originally Posted by atomman

Many, and I do mean many years ago, you could get 2-5% tincture of Iodine. Pour it in the hole, and let it soak. Some reason unknown to me, it will soften up the rust and you will be able to knock out the piston. Old farmers would use it on their machinery to break loose nuts. Can't buy it any more in the pharmacy.
atomman

Greetings fellow club members!

Back in the 80's when I was still milking cows, I was able to order Tincture Strong Iodine from my local pharmacy. I used it for sanitizing my milking equipment, and it didn't take much for that purpose. It might be worth your while to go to your local pharmacy and see if you can order it. I don't see why you would not be able to still get Iodine. As to the issue of Iodine being used to free up rusted nuts, bolts, and stuck engines, it's an interesting theory, although I've never tried it myself, and quite honestly, this is the first time I've heard of using Iodine as a rust penetrant/dissolver. And trust me on this--I've heard of just about every concoction known to man to free up a stuck engine. One more thought--have you considered using a commercial penetrant known as Kroil? It's supposed to be the best there is, but then that's only what I have heard.

[bobdylan]

I have heard of kroil, I have a lot of lot of engines, I can try several things and see what works the best, I am thinking about an oval stock tank, they make a size that would work well with v12, I would put the block in deck side down and fill with diesel and atf just enough to cover pistons, that way I am soaking from both sides. I think the block will displace enough fluid that it should not take to much, helps that fuel prices are down. Someone let me know if I am an idiot, I can take it. Bob

[ilvracn]

I soaked that old pistol for years in diesel fuel, did nothing. I dont think petroleum products will work. You need something that will react chemically with the rust

[Clyde]

Try a 50-50 mixture of Acetone and ATF.

[bobdylan]

Thanks, I think will try a lot of these ideas on different engines and see what happens