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Thread: Best way to clean engine parts?

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  1. #1
    Hybrid booster Turbo Mopar Contributor Darkapollo's Avatar
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    Best way to clean engine parts?

    What methods do you guys use to clean various engine parts when doing a build? I have soaked parts in full strength degreaser, scrubbed, scraped, and power washed, but it never comes out perfectly clean. I have also been toying with the idea of using my powder coating ovens 'clean' setting and putting the block in there to burn off the grime, think it'll work?

  2. #2
    See me ride out of the sunset... Turbo Mopar Staff BadAssPerformance's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    Depends on the part.... sand blaster works great for parts you can get the sand out of!

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    Hybrid booster Turbo Mopar Contributor Darkapollo's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    Like the block and head and such. im going to be powder coating the block so it has to be totally grime free. i dont think sand will work that well to remove sticky grease and grime.

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    See me ride out of the sunset... Turbo Mopar Staff BadAssPerformance's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    Are you machining the block? have it baked and tumbled in shot.

    If not then brake cleaner and a tooth brush

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  5. #5
    Hybrid booster Turbo Mopar Contributor Darkapollo's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    Nah, not going to machine it. just hit it with a bottle brush to clean up the bores. i was really trying to avoid the tooth brush method, as the fiancee was a bit upset that i used hers last time. lol. basically what i was thinking would be the same as baking the block. just using my home oven (used for powder coating, not food) and using the self cleaning setting.

  6. #6
    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff 135sohc's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    soda blaster.

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    Hybrid booster Turbo Mopar Contributor Darkapollo's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    what is that exactly? never heard of it

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    Hot Certified Christians at TD! Turbo Mopar Staff Directconnection's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    I work at an engine rebuilding shop.... and so does a friend out of state. last summer, he came over to visit a mutual friend who was rebuilding his 302 Phord. He heard that oven cleaner works wonders. I saw it with my own eyes... it made the crank, main caps, block, etc.... turn nice cast gray almost like it was cleaned at our shop. They used cheapy oven cleaner, but the better stuff supposedly works even better. Brake cleaner afterwards, then dawn and hot water...soapy water and then rinse. Make sure to use compressed air to totally dry as any little bit remaining will cause rust.

    Also, if this is an engine that lost a bearing, or had debris run through the motor... you MUST thoroughly clean out every oil passage in the block, otherwise you will be rebuilding it again in short order.
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    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff 135sohc's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    Quote Originally Posted by Darkapollo View Post
    what is that exactly? never heard of it

    baking soda blasted like sand or other media material but it wont harm bearing surfaces and it cleans also. atleast thats according to eastwood co

  10. #10
    Hybrid booster Turbo Mopar Contributor Darkapollo's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    ahhh. interesting, never seen or heard of that.

    Ill try the oven cleaner, I just dont want to go through what I had to do before, and still come out with a 'clean enough to paint' block.

    The motor ran strong when I pulled it (had a cracked head and was replaced by a recently rebuilt spare) infact it made the 6 hour drive from north jersey to my old shop in chambersburg, pa, just fine.
    I will be replacing all of the freeze plugs though, as this is the last engine i will be doing for a while I want it to be 'done right the first time'

  11. #11

    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    I can testify that the soda blasting works. They did my TIII head in that and it was AMAZING how clean it was after it was done. Doesn't hurt or scar the head either.
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  12. #12
    Hybrid booster Turbo Mopar Contributor Darkapollo's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    I might have to try that too. Need to get a sand blaster though.

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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    I've used oven cleaner before, too. Easy-Off is basically a weaker version of Mar-Hyde paint stripper - which works even better for removing grime, and paint!
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  14. #14
    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff 135sohc's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    Quote Originally Posted by ShelGame View Post
    I've used oven cleaner before, too. Easy-Off is basically a weaker version of Mar-Hyde paint stripper - which works even better for removing grime, and paint!
    +1

    We use that stuff at work to clean the fryers and everywhere around them. stuff melts right off on contact. it will etch aluminum if its allowed to sit too long or dry on the surface though.

  15. #15
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    How many miles are on the block your using??? make sure your bores aren't out of round if your putting new pistons in...I put new pistons in my lancer without checking the roundness and ended up scraping up/destroying the pistons. But i guess just re-ringing the old pistons MIGHT be ok...but if it was me i would get it bored over

    my .02

  16. #16
    turbo addict
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    Ive used oven cleaner on the last 2 motors ive painted it works way better then that stupid engine degreaser junk you buy at part stores, just follow the instructions like shake well, spray it on, let it foam up and sit then power wash it off, works great, then maybe some carb/brake cleaner and a tooth brush to get the hard to reach places, also a solvent parts cleaner brush works well too.

  17. #17
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    I had great luck with acetone as a degreaser, the problem is it evaporates quickly, so you need to work fast. The oven cleaner idea sounds interesting though... I'll have to try that next time.

  18. #18
    boostaholic
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    ^^^^ Yea me too.

  19. #19
    boostaholic
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    I use kerosene... $3/gallon and leaves a relatively rust resistant film. Of course, you need to wash the parts with soapy water before painting!

  20. #20
    Hybrid booster Turbo Mopar Contributor Darkapollo's Avatar
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    Re: Best way to clean engine parts?

    The engine has around 200k on it. Im just going to hone it and rering it. Not a performance build so Im really not looking to buy new slugs. Thanks for the tips n tricks! Ive also used karosine, works well but I cant stand the stench. Last time I filled the oil pan with superclean and let all of the innards soak for a week. The carbon on the piston tops flaked off like the paint on a white TD. Most of the internals came out looking 'slightly used' but almost new. However that engine had 93k miles on it, so it wasnt as grimy. I guess ill have to wait for warmer weather to fire up the power washer.

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