How to clean a piston?

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Dec 10, 2006 | 06:45 PM

CamminV6

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On The Tree

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From: North Carolina

How to clean a piston?

What is the best way to clean a piston head? I've been told oven cleaner works, but without using something to scrape with, It's not working too well. I'm afraid to scrape the piston, but that seems to be what it's going to take....

Any ideas?

Dec 10, 2006 | 06:50 PM

IBM/M6

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fine steel wool. and small wire brushes . a dremel with the right wire wheel helps . mix some tide detergent into the mix with a little water like a paste .

Dec 10, 2006 | 06:51 PM

Whistler

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You can use brakekleen with a single edge razor for the flat parts, and a scotch brite pad for the valve reliefs

Dec 10, 2006 | 07:31 PM

vettenuts

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From: Little Rhody

I used a bamboo chop stick. As a matter of fact, I am using the same thing on a set of heads right now. The carbon will chip off with the chop stick and it won't scratch anything.

Dec 10, 2006 | 07:36 PM

Studytime

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From: BTR, La

Why not use something metal? Just take any kind of scratch out with a scotch bright pad.

My standard procedure is a metal putty knife, varasal, hand scotch bright pad, varasal and then a pneumatic air tool with a scotchbright pad. Clean it in varasal again. It's good enough for 600hp circle track engines, why not an LS1?

Ben T.

Dec 10, 2006 | 07:37 PM

Studytime

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From: BTR, La

If the pistons are still in the motor, use something to scrape them and then use B12 chemtool on a rag. It works wonders. They'll look new again.

BeN T.

Dec 10, 2006 | 08:11 PM

o2man98

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From: Wisconsin

This is very popular with the snowmobilers that need to clean exhaust power valves and pistons for top end rebuilds.

Powerfoam
http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/apf.aspx?zo=1436102