1 clean piston.. 7 dirty pistons.. Question..
10-23-2007, 04:02 PM
#1
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Florence, Al
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1 clean piston.. 7 dirty pistons.. Question.. OK guys-
I'm in the middle of my H/C swap.. I got the bright idea to clean up my pistons after I cleaned up the head gasket residue..
Well.. I've cleaned one piston and my pops just asked me "Why I am bothering cleaning them when they're gonna look like that (dirty) again in 6 months.."
So..
Will I hurt anything to put it back together with 1 clean piston and 7 dirty pistons or should I just suck it up and clean the other 7?
Thanks
Jeff
I'm in the middle of my H/C swap.. I got the bright idea to clean up my pistons after I cleaned up the head gasket residue..
Well.. I've cleaned one piston and my pops just asked me "Why I am bothering cleaning them when they're gonna look like that (dirty) again in 6 months.."
So..
Will I hurt anything to put it back together with 1 clean piston and 7 dirty pistons or should I just suck it up and clean the other 7?
Thanks
Jeff
10-23-2007, 04:12 PM
#2
You could always put the dirt back on and see what he thinks of it...
How many miles are on the engine? Do you have to check PTV clearance for the cam you've selected? What about oil consumption, any problems there, or are you/have you altered the PCV system to prevent it?
Unless there is a healthy build up of carbon there, I guess its a matter of preference. I prefer to clean my own when the time comes, but I don't answer to your dad...
How many miles are on the engine? Do you have to check PTV clearance for the cam you've selected? What about oil consumption, any problems there, or are you/have you altered the PCV system to prevent it?
Unless there is a healthy build up of carbon there, I guess its a matter of preference. I prefer to clean my own when the time comes, but I don't answer to your dad...
10-23-2007, 04:12 PM
#3
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It wont hurt anything to leave some dirty, but I sure wouldn't mind knowing I got 8 clean pistons under the hood.
I'd just finish cleaning them. Your already in there.
I'd just finish cleaning them. Your already in there.
10-23-2007, 04:25 PM
#5
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Galveston, TX
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I cleaned them when I was there, and changed up the PCV system to a breather so I won't get oil back in there again.
Just clean em with paint thinner and a rag. You only have to do it once.
Just clean em with paint thinner and a rag. You only have to do it once.
10-23-2007, 04:27 PM
#6
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Florence, Al
Posts: 1,162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hammertime - 84K, I shouldn't have to check the PTV - I am running TSP PRC Stage 2.5's with a TR224 cam.. Never had any issues with oil consumption..
The largest driving factor that has me wanting to clean them up, is while I was cleaning the gasket residue off, I shot some brake cleaner onto the face of the block, some pooled in two of the open cylinders and when I cleaned the cylinders out with a rag, part of the piston was nice and clean.. So, I didn't want to have pistons that were half clean and half dirty, so I started cleaning them..
So, would it hurt to have a piston that is a little clean and dirty the rest of the way?
I just don't want to deal with hot spots, detonation, etc..
The largest driving factor that has me wanting to clean them up, is while I was cleaning the gasket residue off, I shot some brake cleaner onto the face of the block, some pooled in two of the open cylinders and when I cleaned the cylinders out with a rag, part of the piston was nice and clean..
So, I didn't want to have pistons that were half clean and half dirty, so I started cleaning them.. So, would it hurt to have a piston that is a little clean and dirty the rest of the way?
I just don't want to deal with hot spots, detonation, etc..
10-23-2007, 05:10 PM
#7
Our unleaded fuels will always leave some residue behind. If it came off as easliy as you describe, then it can't hurt to spend a few more minutes to wipe the rest of the clean - even if it is for nothing more than peace of mind. It's a lot better now than worrying about it once the heads are on.
