britdog

iTrader: (1)

1995 Formula LT1 - bone stock, 138k miles
I'm halfway through the intake manifold oil leak fix. I have the intake off and the fuel rail and throttle body off it. Now, I have lots of cleaning to do.

I assume that the best way to clean the inside of the manifold and the TB is with carb cleaner. I also have 2 cans of brake cleaner that I would like to use up. Is there any problem using brake cleaner instead?

I'm also looking for any suggestions on cleaning the exterior of the manifold to brighten it up. Anything that's worked particularly well, or anything to stay away from?

Thank you!

BizZzatch350

iTrader: (33)

You could have it cleaned by a machine shop, wouldnt be much. Cleaned the out side of one of my spare manifolds with brake cleaned cleaned it up b=prety well, then went back over it with a brush, came out prety good.

britdog

iTrader: (1)

Thanks.
Was't sure how brake or carb cleaner would work on the outside.
What kind of brush...just standard plastic bristle medium-stiff type of thing?

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

I took it to the Carwash with some heavy degreaser..

fergymoto

iTrader: (129)

I've done a few and what I do is use Purple Power or Castrol Super Clean along with my pressure washer. I don't use cold water though, it gets hooked up to the hot water spicket. This works really well. I had the inside of my manifolds looking brand new.

bmccrary

I am having my oil intake leak fixed at shop this sat. I am hoping to be able to hang around and help out. I want to clean mine up good as well. I think I am going to try and clean the back side of the block, too. While its in the air.

-bryan

WhyHelloOfficer

iTrader: (5)

When I had mine off doing the lifters (and fixing the manifold leak) I took a coarse brush to it with some brake parts cleaner and some Formula 88 degreaser.

After a little bit of time and patience, it cleaned up pretty nicely. I threw a little bit of paint on it and it didn't turn out too bad. Just took a little bit of elbow grease

Greaseymec

iTrader: (9)

I just installed a ported intake that I got used. It was pretty cruddy on the inside. What worked the best for me (believe it or not) was the Auto Zone brand carb cleaner. It eats through carbon build up like its butter!

Mec

britdog

iTrader: (1)

Thanks All. Exactly the type of info I was seeking.

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

Something I just remembered..Those EGR Plates, all you need is the big one, you don't even need the little one. I looked that up and found that what you are blocking off with the big one is where the EGR Valve lets Exhaust into the Intake.

97LT1

iTrader: (3)

I think folks were using the Seafoam Deep creep to get the carbon off the inside of the intake along with throttlebody. It will not harm your parts.

carzman5678

A bottle of acid sprayed on it will do wonders. Makes aluminum heads look brand new.

bmccrary

Well, I just got my car back from Fbody and wow what a difference!

When they pulled my intake, they said there was all sorts of crap in there. Behind the throttle body blades and the manifold its self was pretty crudy. They cleaned it all up for me and the car responds so much better!

I have been using sea foam for the past couple of years, every six months or so... apparently its not doing much or I needed to do it sooner...

Sorry if its off topic. Just thought I would share.

-bryan