CamminV6

iTrader: (33)

What is the best way to clean a piston head? I've been told oven cleaner works, but without using something to scrape with, It's not working too well. I'm afraid to scrape the piston, but that seems to be what it's going to take....

Any ideas?

IBM/M6

fine steel wool. and small wire brushes . a dremel with the right wire wheel helps . mix some tide detergent into the mix with a little water like a paste .

Whistler

iTrader: (46)

You can use brakekleen with a single edge razor for the flat parts, and a scotch brite pad for the valve reliefs

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I used a bamboo chop stick. As a matter of fact, I am using the same thing on a set of heads right now. The carbon will chip off with the chop stick and it won't scratch anything.

Studytime

iTrader: (15)

Why not use something metal? Just take any kind of scratch out with a scotch bright pad.

My standard procedure is a metal putty knife, varasal, hand scotch bright pad, varasal and then a pneumatic air tool with a scotchbright pad. Clean it in varasal again. It's good enough for 600hp circle track engines, why not an LS1?

Ben T.

Studytime

iTrader: (15)

If the pistons are still in the motor, use something to scrape them and then use B12 chemtool on a rag. It works wonders. They'll look new again.

BeN T.

o2man98

This is very popular with the snowmobilers that need to clean exhaust power valves and pistons for top end rebuilds.

Powerfoam
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/apf.aspx?zo=1436102

DuronClocker

iTrader: (25)

I don't know if you are referring to the tops of the pistons or the combustion chamber of the head, but I do them both the same. On flat surfaces, I use razor blade, then take WD-40 and a coarse rag or a scotchbrite pad. Scotchbrite pad works much better than a rag does though, especially on the heavier stuff.

pdd

iTrader: (3)

i used wd40-worked great

JLSain

iTrader: (3)

Will it hurt anything if I leave the oven cleaner on the heads over night?

dnm12

iTrader: (13)

B-12 Chemtool carb cleaner with a shop rag, should clean everything off