dnm12

iTrader: (13)

So here is a link to my head swap so far:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2048825/7


but I have a few questions:

(1) Is the deck surface clean enough/what else are you cleaning it with besides b-12 chemtool carb cleaner and rags?



(2) What else can I do to clean the piston tops?

The deposits are taking for every this transformation took like an hour alone:





Thanks in advance!

Gauge

iTrader: (3)

The deck surface looks pretty good to me. You're never going to get every single bit of the residue off the surface. As long as it feels perfectly smooth and you've given it a good scrubbing, you should be fine. What kind of gaskets are you gonna be running? The stock GM MLS gaskets are very forgiving.

Grimes

iTrader: (3)

Damn, you could eat off the top of that piston!

dnm12

iTrader: (13)

yeah i am using the stock GM MLS gaskets. so far that is good to hear what about cleaning around the bottom bolts on the outside of the heads that have the part that sticks up any tips?

BrianC98Z28

iTrader: (11)

looks good to me... you know a good solution for getting rid of the buildup? Nitrous is your friend.

2002/Black/SS

iTrader: (3)

looks good, the deck surface is a tad dirty but i guess u have alot of miles, but damn those pistons are clean! to bad they will be full of buildup again in a couple of miles!

Gauge

iTrader: (3)

Most people use a vacuum and a straw to suck the fluid out. I used a can of compressed air initially and then went after it with some rolled up shop towels and Q-tips.

Beware if you're using paper towels. Be sure they're stout because the last thing you want is for them to get soaked, tear off, and get lodged in there. I almost had a catastophy while trying this and have since learned to be more careful. In the future I'll be using a blow gun attachment for my compressor. I think 120psi will blow that crap out a lot better than canned air.

brad8266

iTrader: (23)

use brawny paper towels, read my sig quote to see why

LS1Beginner

Take a straightedge to the deck and measure any gaps. I learned the hard way. Most likely you're fine -

JRracing

iTrader: (35)

I used a blow gun in the holes to clear them out. Then blue shop towels rolled up.

I also used a solvent used in my body shop that get road tar and wax off. I used this on the deck surface with a razor blade. I also plan on wet sanding the surface with 1000grit paper.

I will take some pics tonight to compare with.

dnm12

iTrader: (13)

cool thanks guys

dnm12

iTrader: (13)

wet sanding? your not concerned about all the grit getting everywhere?

also any other tips on cleaning?

Grimes

iTrader: (3)

I really would not sand - that's asking for trouble, because there is no guarantee that you can keep the deck flat.

Ohio Bird of Prey

Last year I pulled my heads off because they had the wrong type of seal installed by the head shop. The valves were covered with burnt oil and so was the top of the pistons. I used a cheap oven cleaner and the crap basically wiped right off with a rag.

dnm12

iTrader: (13)

what kind of oven cleaner and would it damage then rings?

Ohio Bird of Prey

I went to our local Kroger grocery store and bought their brand. It didn't hurt the pistons which are aluminum so I don't think it would hurt the rings. It cleaned the pistons real quick. Sprayed it on waited a couple of minutes as the foam starts to turn brown from the carbon. Use a straight edge blade to scrap of. I then sprayed some on a rag to wipe of the piston clean. All eight pistons took less than an hour and they were real bad. The build up on my valves was really bad but the cleaner makes the carbon deposit SOFT and easy to remove.