My God, It Works!

[HaleyD@YANKELOVICH.COM (Haley, Doug)]

A year ago I clipped this from the list:
>From: "Steinbrueck, GL" <steinbru@VNET.IBM.COM>
>Date: Sun, 8 Sep 96 22:11:42 EDT
>Subject: Re: 4kq Header Pipe.

<snip>
>  Can't help too much with most of your "problem", but for those $#%##$%
>manifold bolts, soak them in ammonia solution (yeah, the regular
>supermarket stuff --clear, not soapy) for a while before you have at 'em
>with the wrench.
>  You'll notice that if you put a drop on, it kinda wicks in after a
>few seconds.  I'm no chemistry wiz, but I think it's changing the
>ferrous to ferric or something.  Only works on iron.  I used this once
>to loosen a massive compactor that had rusted up --used a whole gallon.
>I noticed that NH4 really blasts off the part when it's working in such
>huge amounts.
>  Anyway after finding this trick, I'm now able to reuse muffler clamps
>and other previously untouchable parts.  Let me know if your experience
>matches mine, cause almost nobody believes this when I tell 'em, and
>some even after I show 'em.
<snip>

Well, last night I was struggling to separate headpipe from catalytic
converter which was rust-welded together.  Soaked both in common
household ammonia (99 cents from grocery store).  An hour later
they just fell apart!  And the bolts which looked terminally rusted
could now be separated!  This is definitiely now part of my old-car
arsenal of tricks.
*****************************************************
Doug Haley (haleyd@yankelovich.com)
"There is no fundamental difference between a sufficiently advanced
technology and magic" (A.C.Clarke)
'92 S4 (mine)
'95 Saab Turbo Conv (Mom's)
'91 Sentra SE-R (new header installed!)
'94 Miata (summer fun)
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