Best Block Cleaning Method?
ashg - 4/10/10 at 07:10 PM
Currently rebuilding an engine to go in the roadster for next summer and need to clean up the block.
usually i degrease with gunk or something like that, then go at it flat out with all different kinds of wire wheels to get the flaky rusty crud off
then degrease again and paint.
although the block is cast iron there is lots of ali on it e.g the head, cam chain covers sump water pump oil take off etc etc. all of it has a white
powdery corrosion on it that i want to get off but the wire brushes are gouging into and leaving marks in the ali.
does anyone know of a good method/product i can use that wont take too much effort?
Cheers
Ash
snapper - 4/10/10 at 07:19 PM
On the ally I use the softer brass wire brushes then dremel with buffing wheel
nick205 - 4/10/10 at 07:32 PM
Are you stripping to a bare block and head?
If so, check with local engineering companies or engine builders and see if you can get it chemically cleaned. It's not expensive, minimum elbow
grease and ensures it's fully cleaned internally and externally. My Pinto block came back looking more or less new and was able to be painted
with no further prep.
scootz - 4/10/10 at 07:38 PM
I'm doing mine just now... complete engine - in situ!
Absolute PITA, but anything will be a monumental improvement over the flaky lump of metal that presently sits in the chassis!
Just attacking it with the usual assortment of brushes and Dremel attachments. Will degrease once I'm happy with the surface and then slap the
HT paint on! Should really get the engine out and do it properly as I can see myself doing it all over again next year, but some of you may have
noticed that I have a tendency to sell things that really should have been left where they belong!!
ashg - 4/10/10 at 07:40 PM
i wasnt really planning to split the block and the head as there is technically nothing wrong with the engine also a headgasket is best part of £100.
i just wanted to give it a bit of a spruce up
RAYLEE29 - 4/10/10 at 08:04 PM
out of interest what engine is it and is it really £100 for a head gasket?|
Ray
speedyxjs - 4/10/10 at 08:10 PM
Spray on brake cleaner is pretty good. Did most of my block (ally) with it.
IanBrace - 4/10/10 at 09:15 PM
Put it in the dishwasher... just make sure the wife is out first! 
AndyW - 4/10/10 at 09:21 PM
quote:
Originally posted by IanBrace
Put it in the dishwasher... just make sure the wife is out first!
My cylinder head is now very clean, gunk'd first then "intense" dishwasher and did it when the wife does her 13hr shifts at work!
ashg - 4/10/10 at 10:08 PM
i could put it in the dishwasher but she might moan that its to heavy to lift into the sink.
plus sometimes she misses a spot which is why i spent the money on a new light over the sink
nick205 - 5/10/10 at 12:53 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ashg
plus sometimes she misses a spot which is why i spent the money on a new light over the sink
LMAO