Cleaning an aluminum head

[Larry Hill]

I got some Dremel tool wire brushes the steel wire ones last longer than the brass ones. And have some ss steel tooth brushes to use in the runners with brakeclean.

Thanks for all the good ideas.
Common sense in abundance is genius!

[pmrphil]

Carb clean will dissolve the carbon way better than the brake cleaner.

[Jack Zimmerman]

On my iron heads, bead blasting them in my blast cabinet with walnut shell media works pretty well in the exhaust ports and the other nooks and crannies, etc. as long as the heads are completely disassembled such that you can wash out all of the media with a garden hose and compressed air when you're done. And I've cleaned other aluminum parts with walnut shells as well and they don't change the surface finish at all so I'm guessing that they would work well and be OK on a cylinder head. But you should probably try it on a non-critical area first and start with a relatively low pressure. And if you are not aware, Harbor Freight has the walnut shell media if you need some.

[Larry Hill]

I will shell out some dollars for some shells and some carb cleaner and give it a try.

We have black walnut trees in the yard and to crack the shells it takes a big hammer and safety glasses.

[Jim Wahl]

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

I will shell out some dollars for some shells and some carb cleaner and give it a try.

We have black walnut trees in the yard and to crack the shells it takes a big hammer and safety glasses.

I just spit sweet tea outa my nose! Thanks Larry. Jim



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[bpete]

I know this is an older thread but...

Is bead blasting or soda blasting within the rules for stock?
It's not SAND blasting after all.



Brad

[MAURICE BLENDHEIM]

I blast them with Walnut Shells or Baking Soda. Just make sure there is no oil on them, Castrol Super Clean and a garden hose hooked to your hot water tank makes de-greasing easy before blasting. Lots of times you don?t have to blast after Super Clean is used with a brass wire brush. MB

[1320racer]

Originally Posted by bpete

I Is bead blasting or soda blasting within the rules for stock?
It's not SAND blasting after all.

That’s funny. I can tell you that the stocker guys having their aluminum heads ported ain’t concerted about the rules, much less what method is used to clean them.

[DonatoEng]

I switched over a blast cabinet to Baking soda and its the best. Does a great job on carbs also then just wash i hot water and it all dissolves. You don't have to worry about any media hiding and coming loose and crashing an engine.

[Bob F]

Soak in simple green works for me.