thomas1976

Found this behind a freez plug of a remanufactured engine, is this to demineralize the water?
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/atta...750-178-ko.jpg

Apeiron

Looks like a sealing tab. That engine hasn't been run since being rebuilt?

STEWARDORNG

YES THAT IS A COOLING SYSTEM SEAL TAB THEY ARE SUPOSE TO BE CRUSHED AND PUT IN THE RADIATOR TO HELP SEAL THE PORES IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK OR HEADS. SOMEONE TOLD ME THEY ARE NOTHING MORE THAN WALNUT SHELLS.

thomas1976

No, out of the crate and to the machine shop, the pistons were down too deep, so I took it appart for decking.
So that dosent belong there?

Apeiron

No, they put it there on purpose.

thomas1976

Why?

Apeiron

To seal the cooling system.

thomas1976

I never used them. Thanks alot for the information, now I know what to look for.

Im not sure, should I put it back in, by reassembly?
A little internet search, says it was used with the Cadillac aluminium blocks and dosent really seal anything.

GM#3634621 or ACDelco#10-108

89RsPower!

Looks just like the GM cooling system seal tabs.. and yes they are made from crushed walnut shells.. GM dealers stock them by the crate load.. They are/were used for quite a few recalls.. pretty much anything involving a cooling system leak.. Which is quite common on GM V configured engines, especially v6 intake gaskets. At the dealer we jokingly refer to them as "intake gaskets" as they are the first thing GM wants to you try when a car comes in with the intake gaskets weaping. If they are leaking really bad they let us replace the gaskets but it has to be the second time it comes back normally. I really wouldn't worry about putting it/them (depending on how many you've found so far) back in unless you are experiencing a very minor cooling system leak after you finish your swap. They are pretty much worthless on anything resembling a real leak but on a issue like a very minor gasket weaping they actually do work. Basically they're crushed walnut shells with some stuff mixed in to make them a little sticky, as a gasket leaks they flow toward the leak and slowly build up at the source slowing and eventually sealing the leak if it is small enough. The only thing "good" about them compared to other off the shelf "leak fixes" for cooling systems is that they can't really harm anything where as a lot of products out there can cause unwanted buildup and restrictions in cooling systems. The flip side of that is that they can't really "fix" much of a leak.

89RsPower!

PS. I just looked at you cardomain, I really LOVE that air cleaner setup you have.. I've thought about making something exactly like that for years but never got around to it.. Did you make it yourself or buy it?

thomas1976

Thanks alot for the detailed information.

Its my DIY air intake. I have courrently a bigger one but its not perfect yet, I will post pics in the kickass cold air intake tread, once finished.