Curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
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What chemical will free aluminum pistons stuck in cast iron block?
Q. Is there an acid or caustic I can use to dissolve the oxide so I can remove pistons?
THIS STANDARD 10 ENGLISH ENGINE HAS BEEN FROZEN FOR 35 YEARS
The Cam is also frozen
Car Restorer, Hobbyist - Stuart Florida USA
February 16, 2011
A. Hi, Bud. Are you trying to salvage the pistons or the block? What about the rings -- they didn't prevent the piston from touching the block? I wouldn't try anything else until you've given WD-40 ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] at least a week or two of daily application. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. Penetrating oil or WD-40, soak for days or weeks then remove the crank and drive them out from the top with a block of wood and a big hammer. You won't hurt the block, but if I remember correctly the cam in that engine runs directly in the block w/o bearings, so it might be junk anyway.
Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
A. A spray product by the name of "blaster" works far better than WD-40 in most cases. I get it at only 1 chain of auto parts stores. If I remember correctly, it is hard on aluminum.
James Watts- Navarre, Florida
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