302 rust on pullies

[gixx1000]

just got a 19 foot sunbird ski boat with a ford 302 inboard.runs good but is eating up belts because of rust on the pullies.boat was reposesedfrom prior owner & probably sat up all last year.the wire brush is helping some but is there something to spray on to help eat the rust off. Also,what are some inexpensive ways to pep up the motor for better performance. thanks Shaun C

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: 302 rust on pullies

Hi Shaun,welcome to i-boats!!<br /><br />Some people paint them, some chrome them. I suggest replace them with alloy pulleys.<br /><br />You can try using course sandpaper and work your way to a finer grit paper until you reach a nice clean surface. Depends on how bad they are rusted.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Don S]

Re: 302 rust on pullies

The best thing to do is replace them. But if that ain't gonna happen, then they need to be removed and cleaned up properly if you want them to stop destroying your belts.<br />What I do is use a 4" disc grinder with about 120 grit disc, and put the pulley on a bolt clamped in a vise so the pulley will spin while it's being sanded. turn it over and do the other surface.<br />I usually hit it with a sand blaster after grinding to smooth it up even more, then paint it with a few layers of good engine enamel. Let it dry for a few days and put them back on and they are good as new.

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: 302 rust on pullies

we have a small sand blaster that works great. sucessfully cleaned and repainted numerous pulleys.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 302 rust on pullies

while I have cleaned and repainted them myself they usually have to be redone once a year or so after that. seems the rust and pits just keep coming back. soif your doing it yourself it may be best to clean them up and repaint them. if your paying tohave it done it may be best to replace them. some of the pulleys will give ya a sticker shock though.

 

[lakelivin]

Re: 302 rust on pullies

No one mentioned navel jelly. Not very helpful if you're going to need to sand anyways?

 

[craze1cars]

Re: 302 rust on pullies

Muriatic acid is the king of all rust eaters, though a little dangerous. It'll still leave some pits that will need some grinding/sanding to create a smooth surface.

 

[DamnitBadger]

Re: 302 rust on pullies

Mine were rusty as well. I took a good stainless wire brush to them while the engine was at idle. Be very careful! After that I removed the belts and used naval jelly and wire brushed some more. when dry I then sprayed them with rust converter and then repainted. Good as new!

 

[gixx1000]

Re: 302 rust on pullies

Thanks for the advise.yes i will be doing the work myself & money is tight so no new pullies for me.