anyone work at one? anyone know prices of hot tanking a block and heads? ill call tommarow but would like a rough estimate on what its gonna cost. thanx:)

I'm retarded. Is hot tanking the same as an acid bath? I've got to get my intake and 2 exhaust manifolds cleaned this week.

You can do a acid bath your self with Muradic Acid, it will take off any rust you have, just be careful. You can find it at any hardware store. I had just had my engine rebuilt and it cost is about 50-100.

Originally posted by brector
I'm retarded. Is hot tanking the same as an acid bath? I've got to get my intake and 2 exhaust manifolds cleaned this week.

When you hot tank engine parts, you use a Caustic (sodium hydroxide-NAOH) solution. NAOH has a PH of 14 and petroleum (grease/oil) and it's byproducts will become water soluble in high Ph. The use of an Acid bath (ph 1 to 2) is used to dissolve calcium deposits in water jackets.:cool: :D ;)

Originally posted by Old Scout


When you hot tank engine parts, you use a Caustic (sodium hydroxide-NAOH) solution. NAOH has a PH of 14 and petroleum (grease/oil) and it's byproducts be come water solublein high Ph. The use of an Acid bath (ph 1 to 2) is used to dissolve calcium deposits in water jackets.

So what process would be better for the aluminum intake and the 2 cast exhaust manifolds?

NAOH will dissolve/eat the aluminum. You will need to use a aluminum safe cleaner. They use Sodium Metasilicate to "hot tank" aluminum. it has a ph of 9-10 and will not dissolve it. Most machine shops have both a Caustic and Non Caustic hot tank. Use Caustic on the iron.

Sweet! Thanks old scout!!!!

Originally posted by Brad
anyone work at one? anyone know prices of hot tanking a block and heads? ill call tommarow but would like a rough estimate on what its gonna cost. thanx:)
Cost me $50 to do my 4 banger in my 4runner. The shop waved the fee since they did all the machine work to the block and head, and well as soldme all the bearings, etc. That was a little over 2 years ago though.

I just had my junkyard D44 tanked, bare housing, spindles and ubds, and that ran be $30.

Hope this helps a bit

So machine shops can do something as big as a housing? I was going to have my eaton housing sandblasted - but hot tanking would probably be cheaper. Hmmm . . . .

Originally posted by brector
So machine shops can do something as big as a housing? I was going to have my eaton housing sandblasted - but hot tanking would probably be cheaper. Hmmm . . . .

This particular one can, and it's a shithole of a shop to :D I wouldn't take anything there to get worked that's for sure :D

The tank I had my engine done at looked a lot smaller than the tank this joint had. Guess you'll have to make a few calls to find out.

Originally posted by Bones


This particular one can, and it's a shithole of a shop to :D I wouldn't take anything there to get worked that's for sure :D

The tank I had my engine done at looked a lot smaller than the tank this joint had. Guess you'll have to make a few calls to find out.

LOL! I found a place here that said their tank can handle up to 7'2" so I think my eaton rear will fit in that :D:D

Originally posted by brector


LOL! I found a place here that said their tank can handle up to 7'2" so I think my eaton rear will fit in that :D:D

i remember seeing in a hot rod mag that they hot tanked an entire chevell body, fromt the fire wall back:eek:
ill have to make some calls and talk to my buddies dad that works at one. definitly rebuild time:(

Originally posted by Brad


i remember seeing in a hot rod mag that they hot tanked an entire chevell body, fromt the fire wall back:eek:
ill have to make some calls and talk to my buddies dad that works at one. definitly rebuild time:(

DAMN! That would be crazy! I'm excited that you can hot tank an axle - I was calling painting places asking how much it would be for them to sandblast the housing. But the machine shop said it wouldn't be more than $20 - probably more like $10.