Delrin and Crockpots

Maybe it is in the archives. Maybe I missed it. But, fair warning, don't put Delrin venturi inserts in the crockpot when cleaning an engine.

I had the backplate off, venturi, spraybar, and needle valve all out and put all the pieces in the pot. I thought for a second about the venturi insert, and thought to myself, "there are surely plastic parts, rubber hoses, and such exposed to anti-freeze in my car, so it is safe. This way I got all the pieces in one place."

It was kind of a neat experiment in a way -- the insert looked exactly like it did as when I put it in -- except for about .030 smaller ID and OD. Really, it looked exactly as if it had just come off a lathe turned that size. I didn't notice it until the O-ring fell off when I tried to put the insert back in. Then I noticed the insert wobbled a LOT sitting in the case.

Live and learn!

Larry Fulwider

Thanks, Larry!

This type of precaution should be kept in mind when a "deep cleaning" effort is chosen.

I think Richard Oliver (or someone) posted a tale about crockpotting an engine with a delrin or nylon venturi once. The thing melted, ran down the crankshaft and ended up as a blob on the inside of the backplate or something of the sort.

My mate Irvin lost the plastic rear disc in an ETA 15 this way.....

Tony