Racehead

There are special solutions just for cleaning aluminum. I'd be careful what chemicals you use. Some of the most mild seeming cleaners will etch aluminum and make it look dull.

KALEL

are you suggesting the super clean might not be the best thing to use?? i guess a better question would be what is good and not good(as far as actual compounds go) for cleaning aluminum??

LOnSLO

iTrader: (15)

I work at a machine shop. We clean mildly dirty heads with a bead blaster. This gets all the buildup out of the ports and chambers. For really dirty heads, they get soaked in the parts washer, and scrubbed with pipe brushes.

SteelBallz

So I am going to be helping clean these heads, and I still do not feel comfortable about what tools/cleaners we should use.

We are doing it this weekend, and I don't want any possiblities of messing anything up. I want to be able to find everything that we need easily (like Auto Zone).

Can someone that has actually done this with everyday tools please post a list of everything we need?

Cal

iTrader: (1)

I like LOnSLO's idea of bead blasting them best; a lot less work and does a better job. Blasting cabinets are only $69.95 right now both at Checker Auto parts and Harbor Frieght. Both are big enough to do heads. Oh, you do need an air compressor to run the bead blaster, but who works on cars without air tools?

If you live near a military base, they usually have a auto hobby shop where you can use one as well as the parts washer he mentioned.

SteelBallz

Never heard of Checker Auto parts or Harbor Frieght. Plus I do not think that he is going to spend $70 just to clean up some heads...

Any help with "everyday" tools we can use?

CHIEFMB2

iTrader: (3)

I use brake clean(the flammable kind). It burns your skin alittle but it's tolerable, but lord help you if you get it in your eyes. It works good for small jobs, but if you get it on your valves they won't last long after that. Also, I use a die grinder with cross buffing pads.

c5jim

I just finished mine. Go to Dollar General and buy oven cleaner, $1 a can. Three cans, a parts brush and a hose. 1 hour later you are done.
C5JIM

KALEL

so parts brush=toothbrush or brass brush(based on previous posts)? 1 hour!! that didnt take long

KALEL

well ive done some posting on the local board as well.. im gettin all kind of responses....is it going to benefit me AT ALL if i clean the heads??? some people are telling me not to even do it(except for the surface that mates with the block, obviously) i figured it would help me out but what do i know...

SteelBallz

We need to go ahead and do it...especially if it is only going to take an hour!

If not for just the idea of putting a nicely cleaned part on your car then for us to be able to tell what kind of condition everything is in... It is hard to tell since they the have so many carbon deposits on them.

I know that there do not have very many miles on them or anything, but it is better to be safe then sorry...

Lafngas98Z

iTrader: (1)

Take them to a machine shop. For about $300 you can have them cleaned, (we have an Aluminium vat), checked out and have a valve job done. At the bare minimum pulled apart cleaned, and lapped. Its well worth it, the heads will look great and you will sleep well knowing they have been checked out. Good insurance when you factor in the price of head gaskets, and head bolts if there is something wrong with them.

KALEL

no no...we are going to do it anyway...i was just curious