93M6Formula

Hey guys,

I've been putting timing cover and intake gaskets in my car and since I have OCD about clean parts on my car, I wanted to clean my intake and timing cover before I put it back on. I have a big parts washer but I know I won't be able to get the intake as clean as it was when new by just scrubbing it.

My question is, is it safe to have these aluminum parts hot tanked by my local machine shop? I was told that they can't do aluminum parts, but I figured you guys would have better info.

Thanks
Aaron

Clayton Racing

No, most hot tank solutions will trash alum. You can have it soda blasted though.

93M6Formula

The parts solution in my washer won't hurt anything will it? I've done the intake on my 6.5 Diesel in it before and it didn't seem to hurt anything.

05HD

If you want aluminum parts really clean, bring them to a good transmission shop. They have the equipment nessicary to get aluminum really clean without messing it up.

qc97z

iTrader: (9)

I wouldn't think the solution from a parts washer would damage aluminum.

93M6Formula

Thanks for the advice guys.

fex77k

iTrader: (2)

Try to keep the aluminum oxide out of your parts washers and you will be fine. I've used a regular parts washer for my stock intake a few times. As far as a hot tank goes, I don't have one so I wouldn't know.

tricked94camaro

iTrader: (1)

powdercoat and it will never get dirty again

93M6Formula

Thats what I really wanna do!

tricked94camaro

iTrader: (1)

my buddy does it out of his garage. got it done for free. eastwood.com has some cheap equipment if you want to do it yourself.

93M6Formula

Cool! thanks for the info!

tricked94camaro

iTrader: (1)

no prob

noice

This is good advice if you have a local transmission shop.

But seriously, contact cleaner, degreaser, ultrasonic tank, or a bead blaster with walnut shells will clean any surface to a great finish.

If you really feel like tanking it though you have to make sure what is in the tank. There is cleaning agents out there, especially those that are use in a hot tank for iron blocks that will eat aluminum. There are products out there that will eat away bronze and aluminum, sure it is rare, but you don't know for sure what those people are putting in their cleaning tanks.

I have used this product from unitor before and it attacked aluminum.
http://www.wilhelmsen.com/services/m...es/571604.aspx

LigHtEmUp01

i ran mine threw one about 3 times to get all the **** out

93M6Formula

What exactly is the little tray on the bottom of the LT1 intake? Can I take that off when I clean it?

airfix

iTrader: (30)

You can take the little pan off the bottom of your intake when you clean it. It's pretty much a oil splash gaurd.

fex77k

iTrader: (2)

There shouldn't be anything inside there.

93M6Formula

Okay I just took it off and I see it's basically just a cover. For some stupid reason I was afraid to take it off
It's kinda gunked up in there and I have OCD about clean parts so I took it off

jb442

iTrader: (4)

Just another option - This works pretty good:

Easy-Off oven cleaner... Spray it on, and let it set for a while. Use a brush to work it into the gunky areas. It will take few applications, hosed down, or power-washed in between, and that's how mine looked when I was done. You can see it's just as clean on the inside.

WS Sick

If you use oven cleaner make sure to do it OUTSIDE and remove all rubber parts.