Hard Blok - Block Filler

Chuck Porter · 11-14-2009, 02:43 PM

I wanted to get a few opinions on the best way to prep a block for filler (Hard Blok). In the past I have hot tanked the block, pressure washed it and then used muriatic acid for the final cleaning. Drained the acid, pressure washed again, dried and poured. I don't like working with muriatic and haven't used it for years, but am concerned I won't get it as clean as it should be. Any comments or alternate ideas?

Play400 · 11-15-2009, 11:22 AM

I just had my block tanked and used the stuff from this guy Ken's Speed & Machine Shop.

Pours, works and sets a lot easier than Hard Bloc. I'm a dawdler so I did 1 side 1 day and the other the next and drank beer in between.

Alan Roehrich · 11-15-2009, 01:02 PM

I use muriatic acid as well. I haven't found a better way to get the water jacket clean enough.

Greg Reimer 7376 · 11-15-2009, 01:07 PM

Make sure all freeze plugs are out, hot tank, wash out and then use only brass freeze plugs before using muriatic acid.Make sure the drain plugs are out, rinse and dry the block thouroughly, then install the filler one side at a time as was suggested with a day or two in between. Take your time and do it right, as I know of no way to get this stuff out if you do it wrong.Make sure you do the acid in a well ventilated place because it will stink up the place, and the fumes are corrosive.

Adger Smith · 11-15-2009, 02:40 PM

I have found that it bonds to the block/cast iron surface a little better when the water jackets are a little wet/moist.

Alan Roehrich · 11-15-2009, 02:56 PM

You should at least wear some sort of cotton or gauze mask to keep the inhalation of the vapors to a minimum, even when using muriatic acid outdoors.

Chuck Porter · 11-15-2009, 05:05 PM

Thanks for the replies.
Yes I know muriatic is ugly stuff to work with. I have the proper respirator/cartridges for that chemical as well. Like I said earlier, I've filled blocks in the past and had the best luck using muriatic acid, but I thought I'd ask. Sometimes new ideas come along.

Thanks again.

rod · 12-07-2009, 06:08 PM

has anyone used a small recirculating water pump, as in a fish tank or a decorating water fall, to pump muriatic acid over [and over and in, around and through] the block, while the block sits in a big plastic tub?
if so how long will the pump last? they cost about $30 bucks, so ....
also it might eliminate the need to install core/freeze plugs, during the etch process-right.

i want to fill my 327 block just up to the bottom of the water pump holes. i was told that you could put a plastic hose from the top of the filler to the original block drain. not sure how all that would work. has anyone done that?

thanks rod

Jeff Teuton · 12-07-2009, 09:20 PM

We got too much Hard Block. If you need some, email me. It will be cheap. Jeff Teuton jefft@southlanddodge.com

Chuck Porter · 12-08-2009, 01:10 AM

Jeff
Too bad I didn't know about it last week. It's already ordered and shipped.
Thanks

11-14-2009, 02:43 PM	#1
Chuck Porter Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 104 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hard Blok - Block Filler I wanted to get a few opinions on the best way to prep a block for filler (Hard Blok). In the past I have hot tanked the block, pressure washed it and then used muriatic acid for the final cleaning. Drained the acid, pressure washed again, dried and poured. I don't like working with muriatic and haven't used it for years, but am concerned I won't get it as clean as it should be. Any comments or alternate ideas? __________________ Chuck Porter STK

11-15-2009, 11:22 AM	#2
Play400 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 7 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Hard Blok - Block Filler I just had my block tanked and used the stuff from this guy Ken's Speed & Machine Shop. Pours, works and sets a lot easier than Hard Bloc. I'm a dawdler so I did 1 side 1 day and the other the next and drank beer in between.

11-15-2009, 01:02 PM	#3
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,098 Likes: 1,550 Liked 1,778 Times in 404 Posts	Re: Hard Blok - Block Filler I use muriatic acid as well. I haven't found a better way to get the water jacket clean enough. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

11-15-2009, 01:07 PM	#4
Greg Reimer 7376 VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora,Calif. Posts: 1,133 Likes: 172 Liked 702 Times in 217 Posts	Re: Hard Blok - Block Filler Make sure all freeze plugs are out, hot tank, wash out and then use only brass freeze plugs before using muriatic acid.Make sure the drain plugs are out, rinse and dry the block thouroughly, then install the filler one side at a time as was suggested with a day or two in between. Take your time and do it right, as I know of no way to get this stuff out if you do it wrong.Make sure you do the acid in a well ventilated place because it will stink up the place, and the fumes are corrosive.

11-15-2009, 02:40 PM	#5
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: Hard Blok - Block Filler I have found that it bonds to the block/cast iron surface a little better when the water jackets are a little wet/moist. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS) Last edited by Adger Smith; 11-15-2009 at 11:42 PM. Reason: sp

11-15-2009, 02:56 PM	#6
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,098 Likes: 1,550 Liked 1,778 Times in 404 Posts	Re: Hard Blok - Block Filler You should at least wear some sort of cotton or gauze mask to keep the inhalation of the vapors to a minimum, even when using muriatic acid outdoors. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

11-15-2009, 05:05 PM	#7
Chuck Porter Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 104 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Hard Blok - Block Filler Thanks for the replies. Yes I know muriatic is ugly stuff to work with. I have the proper respirator/cartridges for that chemical as well. Like I said earlier, I've filled blocks in the past and had the best luck using muriatic acid, but I thought I'd ask. Sometimes new ideas come along. Thanks again. __________________ Chuck Porter STK

12-07-2009, 06:08 PM	#8
rod Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kingman, NW AZ. in the middle of the longest stretch of Route 66 Posts: 313 Likes: 0 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Hard Blok - Block Filler has anyone used a small recirculating water pump, as in a fish tank or a decorating water fall, to pump muriatic acid over [and over and in, around and through] the block, while the block sits in a big plastic tub? if so how long will the pump last? they cost about $30 bucks, so .... also it might eliminate the need to install core/freeze plugs, during the etch process-right. i want to fill my 327 block just up to the bottom of the water pump holes. i was told that you could put a plastic hose from the top of the filler to the original block drain. not sure how all that would work. has anyone done that? thanks rod

12-07-2009, 09:20 PM	#9
Jeff Teuton VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 2,717 Likes: 2 Liked 325 Times in 50 Posts	Re: Hard Blok - Block Filler We got too much Hard Block. If you need some, email me. It will be cheap. Jeff Teuton jefft@southlanddodge.com __________________ Jeff Teuton 4022 STK

12-08-2009, 01:10 AM	#10
Chuck Porter Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 104 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Hard Blok - Block Filler Jeff Too bad I didn't know about it last week. It's already ordered and shipped. Thanks __________________ Chuck Porter STK