Cleaning pistons
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 986
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From: South Carolina
Cleaning pistons
I will post pictures tomorrow,forgot my tablet,I’m doing the work at a friends house,but pulled carburetor,intake and heads off,and to my surprise it looked nice,although do have a little buildup on top of the pistons,so want to plug,or tape openings and get the piston all the way to top and clean them,so need some tips,and using a drill,or a wire wheel.and I just figured when I pulled the heads off,they would just be flat top piston,but they weren’t.post pictures tomorrow,thanks for any and all suggestions.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I will post pictures tomorrow,forgot my tablet,I’m doing the work at a friends house,but pulled carburetor,intake and heads off,and to my surprise it looked nice,although do have a little buildup on top of the pistons,so want to plug,or tape openings and get the piston all the way to top and clean them,so need some tips,and using a drill,or a wire wheel.and I just figured when I pulled the heads off,they would just be flat top piston,but they weren’t.post pictures tomorrow,thanks for any and all suggestions.
Wire wheels lose a few wires when in use...the wires can end up anywhere.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,095
Likes: 4,024
From: New Braunfels Texas
Use the same 3M bristle Roloc you should be using to clean the deck surface to clean the piston head......
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40064937/
Jebby
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40064937/
Jebby
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 124
From: Lubbock TX
Clean it and reassemble. After you get it running good, dribble water through the carb as folks have been doing for years. That'll get all of it off that matters, the thin film of black on most pistons won't make a bit of difference.
Any crap that gets between the block and top ring land will ruin your cylinder finish. Seen it many times.
Any crap that gets between the block and top ring land will ruin your cylinder finish. Seen it many times.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
You may do more harm than good. But if carbon disgruntles you put some painters tape over the head-bolt holes. Which ever piston is at TDC clean that / those first.
Jog the IGN key and a clean couple more piston tops.
Using a pots & pans nylon scrubber or similar pad, just barely rub off the piston grime with one hand and shop vacuum the dirt out with the other hand.
That carbon will return in a matter of days. So don't over do this.
Jog the IGN key and a clean couple more piston tops.
Using a pots & pans nylon scrubber or similar pad, just barely rub off the piston grime with one hand and shop vacuum the dirt out with the other hand.
That carbon will return in a matter of days. So don't over do this.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
I used a spray can of Permatex gasket remover to dissolve the carbon. Let it sit for a minute and wipe off. Repeat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
If I felt it was necessary to clean the tops I'd go with the grease in the crevice idea. At least you can keep the fine particles from getting into the ring groove.
I'd use something like carb cleaner or the stuff resdoggie recommended to soften it up, then scrape it with a plastic scraper. What ever is left I'd put more cleaner on a rag and wipe the top of the piston until it's clean.
Then roll the crank with a wrench, not the starter, (just me starter is harder to control), and wipe the grease out with a rag dampened with the cleaner.
Using any kind of wire wheel or abrasive type cleaner you don't know where that abrasive will end up.
I'd use something like carb cleaner or the stuff resdoggie recommended to soften it up, then scrape it with a plastic scraper. What ever is left I'd put more cleaner on a rag and wipe the top of the piston until it's clean.
Then roll the crank with a wrench, not the starter, (just me starter is harder to control), and wipe the grease out with a rag dampened with the cleaner.
Using any kind of wire wheel or abrasive type cleaner you don't know where that abrasive will end up.
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2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I use injector cleaner (Lucas, etc.) e ery 3,000 miles poured into 1/4 tank of gas, then highway drive for 30 min.
HeadsU.P. water mist wth engi e idling works too!
HeadsU.P. water mist wth engi e idling works too!
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,095
Likes: 4,024
From: New Braunfels Texas
