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Engine clean up

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Old 02-15-2019, 10:36 PM
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Bhebert449
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Default Engine clean up

While I am having my carbs rebuilt I thought it would be a good time to clean up the engine a bit. I was told brake cleaner is a good product to use for this purpose. Is this a good product?
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...5089/7060459-P

Last edited by Bhebert449; 02-15-2019 at 10:38 PM.
Old 02-15-2019, 10:55 PM
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jackson
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yes it's good. I use aerosol brake & carb cleaners for many things.
If ou have Not … note that most are Very strong chemical solvents … they can permanently fog your eyeglasses and your eyeballs and burn your skin. So have at it, just use care and DO use eye protection. FYI Walmart has a store brand of both brake & carb cleaners much cheaper that CRC.
Old 02-15-2019, 11:00 PM
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Bhebert449
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Originally Posted by jackson
yes it's good. I use aerosol brake & carb cleaners for many things.
If ou have Not … note that most are Very strong chemical solvents … they can permanently fog your eyeglasses and your eyeballs and burn your skin. So have at it, just use care and DO use eye protection. FYI Walmart has a store brand of both brake & carb cleaners much cheaper that CRC.
any tips on application? Here is a pic of the top of my engine with carbs removed. I have covered the manifold ports with duct tape.


Old 02-15-2019, 11:11 PM
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jackson
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Might I suggest you first try covering/masking holes and bagging distributor … then use n aerosol DEGREASER … followed by water spray.

Also, strong solvents eg brake carb cleaners tends to dissolve or lighten some paints.

-edit- a "FOAMING" degreaser tends to hang on a bit longer before running off.

Last edited by jackson; 02-15-2019 at 11:16 PM.
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Old 02-15-2019, 11:14 PM
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jackson
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Also, strong solvents can play havoc with the rubber in harmonic damper balancer … just as a motor that routinely leaks oil onto it. So, be judicious using them near damper.
Old 02-15-2019, 11:23 PM
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Big2Bird
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I use simple green undiluted. Spray it on, maybe brush heavy stuff, then rinse. Repeat a few times.

BMW has some engine compartment detailer that's the bomb.
Old 02-16-2019, 06:46 AM
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sug
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I used marine crc penetrating oil and a small stiff bristle brush for my intake manifold and came out great
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Old 02-16-2019, 08:39 AM
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fly_fishie
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carb cleaner here
Old 02-16-2019, 08:50 AM
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7T1vette
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Unless you can prevent carb/brake cleaner from getting on other painted items, I would not go that direction. GUNK engine cleaner will loosen all that greasy stuff on the intake; just spray it on and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then wash or wipe it off. Stiff parts washing brush is good, if you have build-up in crevices, etc.

As I mentioned on your other thread, duct tape to cover carb holes.
Old 02-16-2019, 09:12 AM
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Any tips on how to shine up the vacuum canister?
Old 02-16-2019, 12:23 PM
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Cavu2u
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Originally Posted by jackson
Might I suggest you first try covering/masking holes and bagging distributor … then use n aerosol DEGREASER … followed by water spray.

Also, strong solvents eg brake carb cleaners tends to dissolve or lighten some paints.

-edit- a "FOAMING" degreaser tends to hang on a bit longer before running off.

And cover up those fenders if you want to protect the paint job too.

Steve
Old 02-16-2019, 08:47 PM
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You could try some car polish on the can but it will probably turn silver like mine did when I tried to clean it up ,ended up buying a new one .
Old 02-17-2019, 12:13 PM
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7T1vette
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If it is in original state, the can is likely a dull grey now. That gold color is merely a chromate wash on fresh zinc plating. It disappears over time, just from being open to the atmosphere.

You can disassemble it and have it re-plated ($$$$); or you can clean it up and give it a faux-chromate finish with metallic gold paint ($). Interestingly, if done properly, the latter method will last WAY longer than the re-plated/washed part.
Old 02-17-2019, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
If it is in original state, the can is likely a dull grey now. That gold color is merely a chromate wash on fresh zinc plating. It disappears over time, just from being open to the atmosphere.

You can disassemble it and have it re-plated ($$$$); or you can clean it up and give it a faux-chromate finish with metallic gold paint ($). Interestingly, if done properly, the latter method will last WAY longer than the re-plated/washed part.
what is the correct gold paint to use?
Old 02-17-2019, 08:47 PM
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Actually, being as "****" as I am, I first shoot some self-etching primer on the metal, then a coat of chrome paint, then a light misting of bright gold metallic. While the gold is wet, I'll spritz a bit of transluscent red and some green around the surface, then shoot clear lacquer. Since all of those last ones were done while wet, they all blend together and look more like the multi-color chromate wash than just painting it gold.


You can see what my vacuum can looks like after that process. The horn relay under the left fender got the same treatment. The master cylinder cover was relatively new and has bright chromate wash finish (with clear lacquer on it to keep that look).

Last edited by 7T1vette; 02-17-2019 at 08:49 PM.
Old 02-18-2019, 09:46 AM
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Trips setup. Pull that intake and get it perfect. That engine is a showpiece, not a wash it with gunk and paint it orange engine.
Old 02-19-2019, 03:51 AM
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Is that gas in your intake in your first photo and does your oil smell like gas ?

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