I need piston and deck cleaning tips.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,275
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver WA
I need piston and deck cleaning tips.
I just pulled my stock LS1 heads off, and the bottom part of the head gasket is stuck to the block. What's a good chemical to losen up the bond so I can scrap it off with?
And is there anything that works good for cleaning the carbon off the top of the pistons?
And is there anything that works good for cleaning the carbon off the top of the pistons?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: Columbia Maryland
seafoam is good for carbon
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I used a bamboo chopstick that was ground to a chisel shape. Won't scratch aluminum and took off gasket and carbon for a final mild cleanup. Be very very very careful of your lifter area you don't get anything in there. Cover them up when doing everything else. I was super careful and for the heck of it I used a borescope to look into the oil gallery and I found a piece of gasket that got by my rags and everything. That would have wreaked havoc and I am wondering if this may be a reason a lot of guys spin bearings after a head change.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 538
Likes: 9
From: Geneva, IL Bring back the Chief!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'13-'14,'19-'20-'21-'22
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From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
For the block deck I used a plastic ice scraper first, then a scotchbrite pad, then a large flat honing stone.
The pistons I used a wire brush cup on a die grinder (each one done at TDC).
The pistons I used a wire brush cup on a die grinder (each one done at TDC).
