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Best way to clean pistons and head gasket surface

Old 07-16-2007, 05:20 PM
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Default Best way to clean pistons and head gasket surface

While my head is off I plan on cleaning everything up.

What is the best way to clean up the block surface with out damaging it and what should i use to clean the pistons and cooling passages etc...?


Thanks for the help
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Old 07-17-2007, 01:40 AM
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I used a wire wheel attatchment for my drill. I had two attachments, one was a fine wire wheel, and th eother a littel more rough. Worked Great for the head and block. just be careful, i was able to see some alum. chipping.
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Old 07-17-2007, 02:42 AM
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just use some carb and choke cleaner with some rags, DO NOT USE A WIRE WHEEL.
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Old 07-17-2007, 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Slidin'Miata916
I used a wire wheel attatchment for my drill. I had two attachments, one was a fine wire wheel, and th eother a littel more rough. Worked Great for the head and block. just be careful, i was able to see some alum. chipping.
This is a great idea. Did you need a chisel and hammer to get the carbon off?
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Old 07-17-2007, 09:54 AM
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I'm going to give Slidin the benefit of the doubt and say he used the wheel for external cleaning... ie: cosmetic exterior clean.

For head surface... liquid gasket remover... razor blades (very very careful not to cut into surface... very light sand paper and block for a light wetsand... all sorts of options.
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Old 07-17-2007, 10:25 AM
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you might want to go to harbor freight and buy a parts washer. i saw them last time i was there, and they're not expensive any more. parts washer + mineral spirits ftw.
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Old 07-17-2007, 12:51 PM
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Carb cleaner + rags is what I used to wash the top of the pistons when I did the swap.... Also since it had been a while since it was run, I put some oil on the piston tops before I installed, just to help with that "first start".

For the gasket surface, just cleaned with a razor blade to get all the surfaces as clean as possible.... with some brake clean spray.....

Dave,
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Old 07-17-2007, 02:30 PM
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standard abrasives gasket removal kit.... works like a charm and no worries about ******* up the surfaces.
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Old 07-18-2007, 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Slidin'Miata916
I used a wire wheel attatchment for my drill. I had two attachments, one was a fine wire wheel, and th eother a littel more rough. Worked Great for the head and block. just be careful, i was able to see some alum. chipping.
Thanks for your idea, I think i'll avoid the wire wheel though...
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Old 07-18-2007, 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by steelrat
Carb cleaner + rags is what I used to wash the top of the pistons when I did the swap.... Also since it had been a while since it was run, I put some oil on the piston tops before I installed, just to help with that "first start".

For the gasket surface, just cleaned with a razor blade to get all the surfaces as clean as possible.... with some brake clean spray.....

Dave,
Thanks Dave,

Sounds like a plan. I like your oil idea too, i think i will do the same, and also douse the cams and lifters etc before installing the valve cover.
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Old 07-19-2007, 10:26 AM
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Vat dip then soap and water, with some compressed air.
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