Detroit Diesel heat exchangers: cleaning and installing the cores 

when making gaskets we used to lay the gasket on the casting and lightly tap around it with a ball peen hammer and it cuts out the gasket to size, can't wait to see the engine in the boat Stu.

Those bronze pieces look outstanding next to the green paint, cant wait to hear that motor clear its throat for the first time, gonna be epic!!

Stu. The O ring plate wasn't quite assembled correctly. It looks like there is a groove in the end plate where an O ring goes. In reality there is a one time use removable U shaped steel spacer there that should have been knocked out, then the bore thoroughly sanded / cleaned. . The correct sequence is gasket, O ring plate, O ring, steel spacer, second O ring then the brass end plate. If you look closely @30:01 you can see small holes at 12 o'clock, and 6 o'clock, one on the outside, and one at the O rings ( two holes, each end in line with each other). These holes along with the steel spacer let any water leaking passed one of the O rings just leak out instead of cross contaminating the cooling system. Make sure all four of these holes are clean. Also, when assembling the heat exchanger , install all the bolts just snug on both ends, then tighten the bolts on the O ring end first, then the flange end. This helps keep everything centered.

Just one tip when using acid based descaler in a soak tank; dissolve some soda crystals (washing soda) in water in a washing up bowl and keep it handy in case you need to quickly neutralise acid splashes.

Quality work means you can sleep tonight and know you won't have trouble tomorrow. Great video Stu, attention to detail is a must!

Love the fact the life for Stu does not require a working clock. Time stands still, way to go Stu!

When I was a manager at a Volvo heavy equipment company, I would always walk back to the shop to watch the technicians work, just to marvel at what they did. It's very soothing

There's something too cool bout a clean , well maintained engine in a boat . I use to clean my yanmar with a q-tip it was reassuring the engine ran and looked like new . The Detroit with the bronze parts really floats my boat keep up the good work . Showing some real pride wiping off that grease !

It always melts my brain that your shop is open to the elements. I could do that for about 2 months a year.

I was so nervous during the soak. You had the solution filled tub half on and half hanging off of your bench. I though that any second the tub was going to fall off of the bench and crash on the floor. Great job of cleaning the exchangers.

Top Tip for making gaskets. Use a print pad on the part then put it on the gasket paper. Perfect impression every time! Ant.

Heck ya things are getting exciting again. This really gets the old blood flowing. By all means please include the fishing trip. Thats some more icing on the cake. Can't wait to see more assembly of the engine. I think you can tell im more of a wrench man. Hey Stu including the parts of your life in the videos makes things more friendly and interesting. Keep up the good work.

It’s mesmerising watching an engine go back together after a fresh paint job. Great looking donk Stu, I cant wait to hear it purr

Cheers young fella....I find these videos totally relaxing. My wife often comments negatively on my DIY skills, but I enjoy watching someone who can,,,, in typically mystifying Japanese fashion she does tell me that my talents lay elsewhere.... where, I do not know!! 😜 But thank you for the videos,,,from a Welshman,lost,,,and living in Japan!

To make a gasket, place the paper over the part and with a small ball and peen hammer gently tap around the edges including the holes..presto perfect gasket. Had that taught to me by an old mechanic. Worked for me on numerous occasions when a gasket is not available or to expensive.😁👍🏻🇦🇺

The attention to detail is commendable. Reminds me of rebuilding the small block to my old Chevy Nova in my driveway. The end results of years of dependable use is the Payoff.

It's great to see you teaching about engine repair/rebuilding. As a 12v electronics guy, I'm fascinated with the mechanical side of engines. And you sir are a great teacher. And I wouldn't mind watching an episode on what it's like to fish Down Under. :)

I used to make gaskets with a little brass ball peen hammer, just hold the gasket material onto the surface and tap around to cut. But you have to be careful that the gasket material doesn't shift as you tap around or the gasket will be misshapen. It helps to pre-cut the gasket material for ease of handling. And you can use the method with a piece of heavy paper to make a template. That engine is looking good!

A massive amount of time and effort must go into making these videos and most of us viewers just can’t comprehend what it takes to make each segment. it’s a real credit to you Stu, we all really appreciate your efforts....well done 🍻 amazing job to now mate 👍

you can also clean the heat exchanger with an ultrasonic cleaner. I have done this in the past greetings from the Netherlands

She is coming together rather nicely. Can't wait to see her in the boat.

That CFS solution you are using is really doing the job. Those heat exchanger parts really came clean.

Really great! Very much enjoying the steps prior to putting the engine in. Many thanks for structuring the presentations of each part this way.

The Detroit seems to have a very simple, easy to get at cooler design. Everything is all in one location. The Cummins on a friends bought has the cooling system all over the place.

Great Video Stu. I enjoy your work.

Stu, I commend your commitment to "doing things right". Your commitment to detail and being thorough will pay off in the long run. Great job! (and oh yes - please do post a video of your fishing pics!)

Learned a lot about Heat exchangers on this episode of Dangar Marine Stu, thank you, Jeff in LA USA

I could watch theses videos all day, thank you so much for another great episode. Looking spiffy! Cheers mate!

Engine is looking great!! Love the green and bronze contrast, classic look !!

There seem to be some really great products out there that I could have done with years ago but have never heard of them. You never stop learning!

Stu. Joe here the bolt is the one on the outside if it didn’t have a bolt in it when you took it apart you didn’t know it needed it at this point it’s ok because you would have to pull it back off to put in the spot gskt (shim) to put the bolt in haven’t seen that bolt left out before.When the oil filter is on the oil cooler adapter it needs that bolt to support the weight of the filter and oil. The spot gskt is usually white paper or metal it looks like a big 3/8 flat washer just so you know when you find it in the gasket set.Sorry for the confusion I always put that bolt in did not think about it being left out. No worries mate appreciate your time to read my message good luck Joe.

That engine is a thing of beauty, with the bronze parts contrasting against Detroit green. Wow!

Stu, that cleaning solution would do a lot to remove the skid marks from your shorts, throw them in with the parts, we all do that when working on engines,and almost anything else. great job on the engine, say hello to Daffy for me. ( give her one big one for me.)

Love your videos. You have a good feel for what details the mechanical mind has interest in. That was great. One gets a really good feeling when cleaning and installing those parts. It will be so rewarding hearing this engine roar to life once installed in the boat.

On HGVs I always used copper grease if I wasn't using Loctite (or other thread lock) on bolts and nuts. Oil in threads gives me the willys as it can 'hydraulic' if the bolt is near the end of the thread and can split cast iron. I love Hylomar and used it for decades. Rolls Royce invented it so good enough for me .. Nice job mate. Methodical and accurate work ...

Nice job Stu, can't wait to hear that engine fired up!

Nothing more exciting then starting a newly rebuilt engine. And it takes right off. Because you have done it all right. Good job Stu. wish I was helping

Straight white vinegar is good for cleaning surface rust off metals. Good to see the engine back

A fine job Stu, your parts look ready to rock & roll once again. Thank you for the hard work filming and editing the videos.

If I can I just make my own gaskets. One trick I do to trace from what I need it for to the gasket material as long it is not cork is, lay the gasket material on what I need it for and take an screwdriver that has an round blunt handle end and carefully do an pressed impression rubbing of all the edges. This has work for me although it's been an easier way for me also. Just a note. Thanks a big time on all that you teach. I've learned a lot from you. Take care.

Love how this is coming along Stu. Just watched another video showing a water sand blaster in a containment cabinet. You just hook it up to air and put your arms in the gloves and spray small parts. Great for a shop for sure

Great tip to use citric acid to clean bronze.

Probably a bit late now Stu but when you have lots of threads to clean a battery drill with the clutch set to low torque so it stalls if the thread tightens up is a real time saver. Jenbacher intercoolers I used to change out had around 40 bolts on each side of the matrix. Took hours by hand cleaning the threads.

Just about there. Will be a great day to hear the Detroit fired up.

Got a lot of work done - great video!

Hey Stu. Good job. As one who has watched a lot of money disappear because of "short cuts" in rebuild procedures, I suggest you take great care in making decisions at this "easily remedied" stage of your work. A new (even $3000) heat exchanger core will look mighty cheap if it causes problems with a $20,000 rebuild. At the very least, as some here have already suggested, pressure test items where water and oil or salt water and coolant are in close proximity. Finding water in your engine oil or gearbox oil after running your new engine for 20 hours will ruin your day and your wallet. Silly to be "penny wise and pound foolish" .

WOW ! Stu is working is a clean, well organized shop ! He tricked me !! That was just the intro !!!

Go on Stu, let us see what you caught. Nice and steady with the re build makes it easy to understand and prevents any mistakes. Could watch it all day.

heya Stu, yes please on the fishing video.......I'm guessing there is more beer drinking than fish catching :-) can't be anything but fun to watch.

CITRIC ACID...great for cleaning inside of your DISH WASHER, as well. Making a LOT of GREAT progress.

G'day Stu. An easy accurate way to make a gasket is to lay the paper on the job and tap it out with a 4 oz ball peen hammer [ old school gasket making],, the other thing is when you use a wad punch always cut onto the end grain of a block of wood. It doesn't dull your punches.. Good to see you've got some mallee roots on.

been hanging out for this one

Stu, engine looking fantastic. Won't it be a lovely day to hear it fire up and have the boat move again under her own power! Really enjoy your channel.

Fine video, shows the things that you need to do in a complete rebuild. Those coolers came out really nice!!!!!

Yes, please upload the lake fishing trip. I believe many would enjoy it. Thanks mate. :)

Nothing better than putting together a reco engine and adding new parts its like bringing a baby into this world albeit in steel

That engine starting to look awesome he'll be like a factory new motor I like your idea on the videos keeping them organized

Looking good Stu... wish i was there to help ;)

That engine is a piece of art 👌 looks good with the polished brass

One of the best videos yet, Love to see the engine coming back to life.

Expense sucked I'm sure but the restoration is looking great Stu! Super cool you have an engine you should be able to trust, and now you'll know all the ins and outs of it!

Looking good Stu!

That lil GMC is looking spectacular. On the boats I've wrenched on had different heat exchangers. But all where fresh water only. Can't wait to see you get it installed. 🙂

I really enjoyed this one mate. It must be a joy for you assembling the engine. Keep the progress going. 👍🇺🇸

Sealing pipe threads a trick I learned is putty tape putty. It will never leak! Put sealant on the threads wrap the tape and use more sealant. It will even seal plastic and metal threads together!

It will be interesting to understand why the supercharger has to come off. Great stuff Stu. You are rolling downhill now.

I built a tank that was 24" X 24" x 48" and put 50 lbs of caustic soda in ti to clean engine blocks and heads. It wasn't working very good so I took the burner out of an old furnace and put that under the tank to heat it up. My Dad had a restaurant and some of his pressure cookers were in really bad shape, so he came by the shop after I left and put the pots and there lids in the tank. When I got there the next morning there were no opots in the tank only the stainless pop-off. tha the lids only had a small amount of aluminum left and the handels.

very nice, great maintenance. also a very low pressure of air in the bucket of solution would make a homemade sonic cleaner.......

If it runs as good as it looks, you've got it made! Can't wait to hear it fire up in the boat.

Good Job Stu

Wow Stu....thanks for a Masterclass on Heat exchangers and how to wrangle them. I am especially grateful for your discussion of Chemistry and chemical treatments to clean up these intricate parts. You're an Alchemist Dude. I learned so much from this video. I have a raw water cooled Bukh DV20....and I've been contemplating a system that doesn't suck salt water into the engine......your video has given me a starting point in my modification journey......thanks Man

Great video man, keep up the good work. I love watching the old beast come back to life.

The best way i think is to use Citric Acid in hot water and it eats away at any rust and lime scale and makes it looking new again and its cheap and saves you money. and you don`t loose any metal

That Detroit looks like it's brand new. Nice work and hope it runs like a top.

Great video, one of the best so far - that engine is starting to look really nice, keep up the good work !

The Detroit is the new Green Machine!

excellent gasket making

Can't wait to hear the Detriot back to life Stu! Old school GM diesel power!

The grade 8 bolts are a nice touch. The Jimmy's lookin' purdy.

With paper gaskets on cast iron, you can just hold the paper against the item and lightly tap the edges with the round end of a ball peen hammer. The sharp edges of the cast iron will cut their way through the paper gasket material. This is pretty common thing to do if you work on old tractors.

G’day Stu that was very interesting with all the work that you have put in the engine bay the motor is really going to top it off. Good job looking forward to seeing your next video. With the attention that your putting into her it’s going to be one very nice boat regards John

Motors looking great

Its cool to see how far that's come and how awesome that big old detroit looks! I agree with mcphoneix below...can't wait to hear that baby come to life!

Excellent job stu - it’s all coming together quick! 👍

Plus when your finished with the solution you can put it in the toilet bowl and it cleans away any lime scale and also clean your pipes i also use it in my washing machine as it cleans the drum and heating element of any limescale build up also cleaning the pipes on the way out its a WIN WIN all around

I sure hope you leak and pressure tested them, all that engine work would be a shame if one exhanger had perrished. Good video!

Never been much of a mechanic (I can do the basic stuff) so I learned a lot. I really hope she ends up running a nice as she looking. Nice job!

We love watching guys fishing so please do edit them 😊 great video again 👍

Great progress mate...excellent video .... informative and as you say "gettin there" . A mid week filler on your adventures down at Lake Jindy would be awesome :)

Looking good. Thanks for the video.

That Hylomar works very well. I have used Permatex High Tack for years for the same purpose. It sprays on purple so you can see it.

the engine paint and bronze/brass look awesome. Good job mate - must be exciting for you.

There is no doubt but what a thorough cleaning and descaling like that will keep the engine running better and longer... so, what do you figure Stu - say once a month or so? After all, it only took you 35 minutes and 44 seconds- and you still had time to feed Daffy Duckchicken. 🤣👍

Great video Stu

As mentioned earlier, the tape on the anode threads may cause it to be insulated from the heat exchanger and not protect it. The anode will last a long time but not the heat exchanger. I never used any type of sealer on my engines over the last 40 years. I also flushed out the salt water side (heat exchanger, oil and transmission coolers and exhaust manifolds) after trips which greatly increased the life of all parts, including the anodes. The engine looks great - looking forward to seeing it run.

I’ve never seen a Detroit this nice great job!!!!

When you use a garlac type gasket, buy 1/8" thick material it will seal better!

I’ve been watching your channel since before you started on the current vessel. The content is really good right now, and it’s exciting to follow with you through the completion of this project. Really good personal feel to your filming. Sound is almost always spot on. Really seems refined and natural. Keep up the great work and I think there is a lot of room for your channel to grow further! Cheers mate!

Hi you should put a couple of set screws in first to hold the gasket and flanges in place to get a good alignment, and remove when the bolts are started I do this it makes life good.

When I acid clean parts I use a small plastic electric pump to circulate the cleaning solution around/through the parts. The moving fluid keeps fresh solution in contact with the surface and speeds up the cleaning process. Also I monitor the PH of the solution to make sure it has not become too neutralized by scale. PH paper is cheap and easy to use.