Ilikeppie

iTrader: (5)

im doin a h/c swap and i just popped my first head off the top of the pistons are dirty as hell i was wondering if i should try and clean those up some if so with what?

dscott

I cleaned mine up with a razor blade, very carefully. Went pretty quick.

SmaknaSS

iTrader: (1)

I use WD-40 and that Green scotch brite(The kid you wash your dishes with).
It works relly well.

Ilikeppie

iTrader: (5)

damn those look bran new! definitly going to get a sos pad and some wd 40

mdog33

I think an SOS pad could be too abrasive. I'd stay with the Scotch Brite pad.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

No SOS, its metal. Scotchbrite is non-metallic. I used a chopstick sharpened like a chisel to get off the big stuff (won't scratch aluminum) then the Scotchbrite.

Ilikeppie

iTrader: (5)

awesome i got some scotchbrite pads and wd 40 lookin to work on cleaning it all up here in the next day or so

RE AND CHERYL

iTrader: (31)

Make sure you wipe the cylinders down with oil after your done as the WD40 will do a good job of removing the oil from the cylinder walls

Re'

Ilikeppie

iTrader: (5)

good point! bump!

Damian

iTrader: (89)

I use a very fine wire wheel on a cordless drill to clean off the pistons. Bring each piston to TDC, and constantly keep the mess wiped so it doesn't get into the motor. Follow it up with a no-scratch scotch brite pad & some brake cleaner. This is VERY easy and doesn't require any elbow grease. Here's a before and after pic of one of my customers engines after cleaning a NASTY set of pistons. I don't polish them off like an above poster did, the important part is getting all the carbon deposits off.

Ilikeppie

iTrader: (5)

they look a lot better what kind of wire wheel do you use how do i know which one will not damage the engine?

Damian

iTrader: (89)

You can't really "damage the engine" unless you go to town on the cylinder wall or something of that nature. Just bring each cylinder up to TDC, and be careful. Don't stay in one place for very long, and give it an even pass up & down, side to side. You will get a feel for it.

As for the wheel, I don't really know the model # or anything. Just go to your local tool store (Northern Tool is where I get my stuff, very cheap) and find yourself a very fine wire wheel. Use your common sense, you'll know when you pick one up if it's too abrasive or not. Just remember you are working on an ALUMINUM block.

Doing it this way for me takes about 5-10 min per piston depending on how dirty it is.

Ilikeppie

iTrader: (5)

alright thanks for all you input!

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

Ives used Wd-40 with Scotchbrite Green or Red with AWESOME success.

Ilikeppie

iTrader: (5)

very nice is that a stock ls6 dished piston?

Grimes

iTrader: (3)

maybe SBC? has 5 bolts / cyl