Whats the best way to remove paint from the oil pan and timing cover so I can repaint them? I have access to a friends sand blaster.Can someone recommend a certain type of blasting media?

 

Glass bead will work. Actually, anything would work on that.

 

El cheapo sand works fine.

I'm doing a pan this weekend.

Just finished a pair of heads and a block.

Just make sure you get all of the particles out from the cracks when you're finished... regardless of media.

 

I would be concerned with using sand in a block as porous as they are it would be difficult to make sure none made it to the inside and that would ruin bearings. wouldn't Hot Tanking be best for blocks ?

 

Hot tanking is good for sludge and caked on oil, but does not remove the rust.

The old hot tank chemicals worked well... before the EPA got involved.
The new hot tank chemicals that I used in my machine shop up to 1996didn't work worth a poop.

All bearings must be removed from a block when you rebuild it.... including the cam bearings. So bearings are not an issue here.

I've been sandblasting blocks and heads since about 1974... 33 years?

No problems.

You just have to develop a good technique for protecting the machined surfaces and for removing the sand.

Engine blocks are manufactured using sand castings.

The lifter bores, main bearing saddles, cam journals and a few other faces need to be covered. On the heads, you just put bolts/nuts in the valve guides. This is not even required if you already know you are going to install new valve guides.

I am doing a Mustang 5.0- right now... and I took pictures before & after... if anyone wants to see. I don't have a place to post them though.

I replaced the valve guides and I'm about to final hone the new guides & cut the valve seats & reface the valves.... the heads will get a 3 angle valve job.

 

Thanks for the advice.Its starting to warm up here and I'm getting the bug to start working on the vette.I see the hot rod caravan is going to be in Wi on June 4th.I hope to be there!