Motor Cleaning ??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
Motor Cleaning ??
Weird question but I just recently pulled my motor and I have heavy thick gunky oil EVERYWHERE...
How should I start to clean this block ?? I am going to heavy degrease the engine bay and power wash ( cover connecters ) but how do I clean all my block, intake ect...
How should I start to clean this block ?? I am going to heavy degrease the engine bay and power wash ( cover connecters ) but how do I clean all my block, intake ect...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
I still use the old standby, Gunk brand degreaser and a stiff bristle brush. Whatever method you use will make a gloppy mess, if you do it over a piece of plastic sheeting, newspapers, or a piece of cardboard the cleanup will be easier.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
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From: Tampa Florida
Pick up a cheap ($2) shower curtain liner at Walmart.....your choice of clear or white.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I got in the engine compartment with a bottle of Purple Power, can of JUNK, several rags, soft wire brush, and LOTS of patience.
I actually returned a couple more times before I was satisfied. It can't hurt to have a can of low-gloss black paint handy. Masking tape too.
(I used some hi-heat low-gloss engine paint I had left over to get a decent color match.)
I actually returned a couple more times before I was satisfied. It can't hurt to have a can of low-gloss black paint handy. Masking tape too.
(I used some hi-heat low-gloss engine paint I had left over to get a decent color match.)
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 1
From: Woodway TX
Yup, you might have to do this a couple of times, but it will be wprth it
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
there is just all these little crevices that I cant get to with a brush. I have the motor out so Its easy to get to every part but still. I power washed the engine bay a couple mins ago and that came out good. I just wish I could blast the block as well..
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
As I understand it, your engine is still assembled, heads, internals, etc. It is important to keep water out of the cylinders, rotating parts, any electrical bits that are still installed, lifter gallery, oil pan, etc. If you are absolutely sure you can do this, go at it. If I were doing the cleaning, I would not take the chance, maybe someone else has a different view.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
No I agree I am not putting water anywhere near the block. I have the valve covers off and intake ect. I just dont know how all you guys get yours soo clean. I guess once I remove all the internals I can then send the block ect to a place that will clean it brand new
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,392
Likes: 216
From: Merritt Island, FL
Brake cleaner works great too - you'll burn through a lot of it, but it is handy for busting loose some tough grease and grime... Leaves no residue behind either, so rinsing is not required.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
HOT WATER (garden hose connected to clothes washer hot water line) and dish washing liquid if I do it at home. I go over the engine many, many times.
When I have a helping hand to lift it, I take the empty block to a local car wash and use the 'cleaner/degreaser' setting and the high pressure wand. I make sure to have plenty of quarters.
If at home I then blow dry the block being careful to blow out ALL the holes. If at a car wash I dry the machined surfaces with towels, then oil them.
Jake
When I have a helping hand to lift it, I take the empty block to a local car wash and use the 'cleaner/degreaser' setting and the high pressure wand. I make sure to have plenty of quarters.
If at home I then blow dry the block being careful to blow out ALL the holes. If at a car wash I dry the machined surfaces with towels, then oil them.
Jake
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 8
From: Westerly RI
If you are tearing down the engine, as in, completely disassembling, then you can use your pressure washer on the parts, blow it out afterwards with air, and, as Jake said, don't leave any surfaces wet, oil them so they don't rust.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
If you're tearing it down and taking it to a machine shop to be checked, they'll hot tank it. No need to worry about cleaning it at home 
If you're not tearing it down, then brake cleaner or careful application of Simple Green or Gunk Engine Degreaser. Make sure you don't spray any of the above on the various rotating parts or bearing areas.
If you're not tearing it down, then brake cleaner or careful application of Simple Green or Gunk Engine Degreaser. Make sure you don't spray any of the above on the various rotating parts or bearing areas.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
If you're tearing it down and taking it to a machine shop to be checked, they'll hot tank it. No need to worry about cleaning it at home
If you're not tearing it down, then brake cleaner or careful application of Simple Green or Gunk Engine Degreaser. Make sure you don't spray any of the above on the various rotating parts or bearing areas.
If you're not tearing it down, then brake cleaner or careful application of Simple Green or Gunk Engine Degreaser. Make sure you don't spray any of the above on the various rotating parts or bearing areas.
Many years ago R&M refused to accept the very first bare block I took to them. I had to take it to a local car wash, clean it, then return it to them.
The block wasn't very greasy/oily either. I mean it only a surface coating of oil. That engine had only recently been re-built (NO, not by me) and only lasted less than one hundred miles before the mains went south. That was compliments of ALFRED; one of those guys who doesn't give a "hoot" about paying Attention To Detail.
A few weeks ago I dropped off a LT1 block at R&M but, having learned my lesson, I beat them to the punch. I washed the block before even heading in their direction to drop it off.
BTW, shop cleanliness is one of those things that tells me about the shop, how it's run and the quality of their work. How the technicians (the guys who do the actual work) dress is something else I pay attention to.
Just some more on how I do stuff, LOL
Jake
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,705
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From: Chesapeake Beach Maryland
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
On your other post about the timing cover I showed you before and after photos. I did the same things these guys are saying. Get a floor covering or tarp, lots of gunk and purple power, brushes and rags. I also used a hand pump garden sprayer with water to help rinse the mess without using a full force hose inside my garage and that worked nicely to rinse small areas as I cleaned
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Simple Green and a whole heap of shop towels for me.
Harbor Freight Tools also sells a professional quality steamer/degreaser that's dope, too.
Harbor Freight Tools also sells a professional quality steamer/degreaser that's dope, too.
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,990
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From: Gaithersburg MD A member since 2007 but then the computer crashed and then the car crash loss of memory X 2
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 2
From: Gaithersburg MD A member since 2007 but then the computer crashed and then the car crash loss of memory X 2
On your other post about the timing cover I showed you before and after photos. I did the same things these guys are saying. Get a floor covering or tarp, lots of gunk and purple power, brushes and rags. I also used a hand pump garden sprayer with water to help rinse the mess without using a full force hose inside my garage and that worked nicely to rinse small areas as I cleaned
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
well I am taking my whole block to a very good performance shop here in NC that is going to rebuild the whole motor top to bottom and clean it all up as well for $1,900. I told him I would pay that much just to have it cleaned. I went to lowes and got some wire brushes for the drill and I am going to town here in a minute on some brackets and I will take before and after pics !