00 Freak

iTrader: (34)

I'm cleaning everything up on to start installing my h/c. Just curious what can I buy to clean the tops of the pistons. Thanks

socmguy

iTrader: (18)

simple green and lots of rags

Billy177

carb cleaner

Black02SLPSS

iTrader: (5)

Brake cleaner or carb cleaner or mineral solvent and a fiber bristle brush.

98LS1auto

iTrader: (3)

get a can of top engine cleaner from GM. That will do the trick. Prepare for a smoke storm. Thats just the carbon blowing out the tail pipes though.

01Z28M6

I used a good ole 2 inch putty knife after carefully putting a radius on all edges and corners of the tool. I kept a shop vac in hand to suck up the carbon bits as they came off. I also used the same tool to clean my block of the carbon from the factory head gaskets.

Using a putty knife is a no-no but it worked good, fast and was thorough. Like I said, I radiused the corners well and dulled the edges slightly.

bsf

iTrader: (7)

Permatex gasket remover

1BADAIR

iTrader: (1)

wd40 will work OK too

3.4camaro

iTrader: (1)

steel wool on the tops of the pistons.

then a rotary grinder with a yellow gasket remover cookie for the head gasket surface.

Billy177

That has spun bearing written all over it

RunNE1

iTrader: (1)

+1 on the permatex gasket remover, it works great.

Pharcyde50

iTrader: (11)

Yeah just get the permatex gasket remover removes carbon even better than it removes gaskets

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I use a bamboo chopstick with the edge shaped like a chisel. Won't scratch and it chip off the carbon.

SLP4CamaroSS

iTrader: (16)

y clean it its goign to get dirty again lol. i used seafoam through the brake booster before i tore into the motor and the pistons and valves were clean

99DWPTA

iTrader: (10)

++1...

Ferocity02

iTrader: (60)

Chopsticks...

That's a new one!

00 Freak

iTrader: (34)

I'm bored and I would like to see it clean. I'm looking into seafoaming the car also after it breaks in.

SLP4CamaroSS

iTrader: (16)

i was really suprised how well it cleaned the valves and top of the pistons with just the seafoam sucking it throw the pcv and waiting just an hour. just do it before you have to change your oil

robertbartsch

I use the back of a kitchen sponge with the plastic wool material glued to it. Spray some silicone on the piston, hit it with the sponge and clean the carbon off immediately with a clean paper towel or clean rag. Repeat if necessary.

I like to bring the piston to be cleaned up to the engine block surface to minimize any crud that might score the cylinders, rings or pistons.

Be sure to keep everything clean and do not get crud where it does not belong!

01Z28M6

Using any liquid or abrasive on the piston tops while still in the cylinder is asking for trouble. The grit and **** that gets down around the rings is going to cost something. I say to keep everything dry and vacuum it out as fast as it comes off. Anyone is welcome to dispute this but that's my last word on it friends.