Exhaust cack!!!!

nogger · Post by **nogger** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:12 pm

This should be an easy one. What is the best way to get all the cack from up the exhaust.

Post by **Wolfie** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:51 pm

Many favour the caustic soda solution, this has never worked properly for me despite putting it in hot and leaving it for up to a week.

Another method expounded by RB is the 'towering inferno' method where you position the pipe upright and blowtorch the gunge at the bottom until it ignites and the burning ring climbs the pipe, I would love to see this in action sometime.
It surely must be a drunken evening spectacle.

simonh · Post by **simonh** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 9:52 pm

this indeed works, however will ruin the chrome

Wessiedave · Post by **Wessiedave** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:40 pm

Hi Nogger, I have used caustic soda in the past (70s !) and think it worked OK, but not great, still, I have some ready to do mine, i am going to make a flange , gasket thing that bolts on to the header then hot/boiling soda mix and leave a few days, and repeat. I read it on here a while ago but can't remember exact method, please watch yer eyes etc and let us know how it goes, my engine is still in bits so ain't got to the exhausts yet (lazy!) Dave

Post by **Wolfie** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:52 pm

Hurry up Dave there's less than two weeks now...

Yep, I forgot to say the chrome will discolour with the towering inferno...

When I did the caustic bit I put all the crystals dry into the pipes, gave it a good shake down and added hot water, the caustic then got REALLY hot with the reaction and boiled inside the pipe.

If you try this then stand well back as you can get a lot spitting out the top.

nogger · Post by **nogger** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:57 pm

I remember using my dads blowlamp on my exhaust in the 70's it generated an unbelievable amount heat and flames when it got a hold, it nearly burnt the shed down as it was leaning against it at the time !!!!! And to be honest I couldn't tell the difference afterwards I was hoping to get at least 80 out of my Suzuki A100 !!!! and it knackered what was left of the chrome after several British winters. Happy days!!!

Bizkarts · Post by **Bizkarts** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:35 pm

The caustic method does work, it just needs to done on a more industrial scale.The problem with the DIY method of just filling the pipe is the small volume of liquid which rapidly becomes laden with crud, stagnates and cools losing its effectiveness fairly quickly. As wolfie says it gets 'kin hot initially but then stagnates because there is no movement. Any good plater or powder coaters will normally have a hot caustic tank where the whole pipe can go in for up to a week and it's continually boiling and the pipe can be moved around to shift fresh solution through it. My local place only charged me £60 for my H1B pipes and he gave them a polish to finish off

The 3 of them weighed nearly 4kg less afterwards

and it makes the chrome gleam into the bargain rather than f****g it up with a blow torch

Sorry to sound like a know all geek, but after my A levels I spent 5 years working in a metal finishing laboratory

Anyone still awake

Nigel S · Post by **Nigel S** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 2:12 pm

Still awake !! Yes thanks Martin. That was actually very useful info :smt023

Wessiedave · Post by **Wessiedave** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:35 pm

great idea! will check and see what there is round Hudds. I've bought some caustic for Wolfie's Vesuvius but will keep that one on hold for now!

Dave ps Wolfie, Sorry i cant make the w/e away (and its still in bits!)