Blocked manifold

[Unregistered]

The manifold on my Atomic 4 is blocked. I have removed the freeze blocks and tried to unblock the water jacket using penetrating oil and wire probes with little success. What do you suggest?

[Don Moyer]

Manifolds are usually the most difficult of the water-jacketed castings to clean. I've had some success with household muriatic acid. I poured it (full strength) into one of the water inlet/outlets, let it fizz for 15 minutes or so and then washed it out. With your freeze out plugs removed, you may have to play around a bit with different positions to get the acid where you need it most.

Household muriatic acid is regulated to a rather modest 30% concentration, but this concentration is still able to burn skin and eat through clothing, so please be careful.

Don