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Author: Subject: Best Block Cleaning Method?
ashg

posted on 4/10/10 at 07:10 PM Reply With Quote
Best Block Cleaning Method?

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





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snapper

posted on 4/10/10 at 07:19 PM Reply With Quote
On the ally I use the softer brass wire brushes then dremel with buffing wheel





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nick205

posted on 4/10/10 at 07:32 PM Reply With Quote
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.






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scootz

posted on 4/10/10 at 07:38 PM Reply With Quote
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!!







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ashg

posted on 4/10/10 at 07:40 PM Reply With Quote
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





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RAYLEE29

posted on 4/10/10 at 08:04 PM Reply With Quote
out of interest what engine is it and is it really £100 for a head gasket?|
Ray

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speedyxjs

posted on 4/10/10 at 08:10 PM Reply With Quote
Spray on brake cleaner is pretty good. Did most of my block (ally) with it.





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IanBrace
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posted on 4/10/10 at 09:15 PM Reply With Quote
Put it in the dishwasher... just make sure the wife is out first!





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AndyW

posted on 4/10/10 at 09:21 PM Reply With Quote
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!

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ashg

posted on 4/10/10 at 10:08 PM Reply With Quote
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





Anything With Tits or Wheels Will cost you MONEY!!

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nick205

posted on 5/10/10 at 12:53 AM Reply With Quote
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






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