Take a look at the top of my pistons. They are nasty.

 

Normal, just clean them with brake cleaner, or gas (I use both)

 

You da man Predator!!!

 

you're welcome.
>don't use any abrasive material
>Bring the piston to TDC, makes life easier
>There is a product called "piston clean" on the market that you can use as well.

Myself I use first brake cleaner and let it soak for a couple of minutes, use soft cotton rags and elbow grease, then I finish them with gasoline and voila.

> mist the piston lightly with motor oil while rotating crank to lubricate cylinder once piston cleaned and moving to next one, as they might be dry from solvents used.

 

i've heard the stuff used to clean ovens works,

 

If your gonna use brake cleaner, make sure you do it at TDC... Then pour a tiny amount of oil all around the top of the rings, then rotate to BDC, and wipe the crap off the walls.. Then flip your motor over and make sure you clean any brake cleaner than may have gotten past the rings..
This will ensure you dont get any crud stuck where it dont belong

 

just bolt everything together and hit it with a 10lb bottle's worth of 150 shots, that will clean it off nicely.

 

I used Permatex gasekt remover. That stuff is SICK...it bubbles up and looks like paint stripper when you spray it on. However you can just wipe away the carbon and crap when its done....just wear gloves!!

 

Like i said just be careful using any solvent that would be damaging to the soft aluminum of the pistons

 

Also be careful not to get any of the pad residue and spray cleaner down into the coolant passages.

A green scotchbrite pad and some carb cleaner will take it right off.

Rob (Bad30th)

 

or... just put the motor back together, run some seafoam through it, and call it a day

 

i like the nitrous route of cleaning