Decarboning old johnsons--Tashasdaddy?

[jbjennings]

TD,
As you can see, I like to read all the posts and particularly the ones by people I can tell are experts. I can see that you are a firm believer in decarboning engines and wanted to quiz you before I followed your advise, if you don't mind. If a motor is running fine, regardless of compression, should I decarb it? What kind of advantages would I see, if any? Basically, I tend to go overboard and try to "fix" what ain't broke trying to get all my toys "perfect" and sometimes I booger 'em up in the process. Is there any way decarbing with seafoam with your technique could booger up my old 50's john/rudes? I'm worried that spraying a little dab in the cylinders through the plug holes could cause the oil to wash off and score something. I know you wouldn't recommend doing this if it could but would like to hear a little reassurance before I decarb mine that are running fine. I do have a couple that run great but wish the compression was a little higher and would just like to "clean 'em out". Should I just leave 'em alone?
Thanks,
JBJ

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Decarboning old johnsons--Tashasdaddy?

While waiting for TD,I do know that Seafoam has its own oil in it.I think its a clear mineral oil.You should not have any problems as far as the pistons scoring anything.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Decarboning old johnsons--Tashasdaddy?

Thanks,
That answered my question about piston scoring--I knew there was a logical answer!
JBJ

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Decarboning old johnsons--Tashasdaddy?

No problem. When i did mine i sprayed the cylinders full until it was about running out,let it set about an hour and started it up.Smoked and spit crud everywhere so it did its job..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Decarboning old johnsons--Tashasdaddy?

it gets all the old crud out of the motor, like a good enema for us. there should be no ill effects, as long as there is a good water supply.

here's my full process:

Decarb, take a can of seafoam put 3/4 of it in the gas tank, with only 1 gallon of premixed gas. put the rest in a spray bottle. start the engine, and let it come up to temperature. then remove plugs, and them some real good shot of seafoam into the cylinders, replace plugs, let sit 15 minutes. restart, and spray the rest of the seafoam into the carbs, so the the motor almost stalls, wait and repeat until the seafoam is gone. then put in new plugs, ad premixed gas to the tank, and take it for a wide open throttle spin. it is going to smoke like a house on fire, during this process.

afterwards recheck compression.