Engine Block Cleaning

[Puritan21]

What do you guys use to get the engine block clean enough for paint?

I have removed the intake, heads, oil pan, timing cover, and would like to clean the block before taking it to a machine shop.

 

[TN1776]

I'd let the machine shop tank the block. That should get it clean enough for paint. Otherwise, something like Superclean should cut the grease, then wipe the block down with lacquer thinner or denatured alcohol to remove any residue from the cleaner to allow for paint to adhere. POR-15 makes a couple of good prep products for this purpose as well.

 

[brian72]

good answer - I got mine as clean as possible then hit it with a wire wheel and then cleaned it again. what a mess in the garage.

 

[broncosbybart]

what all are you going to have the shop do? we used to bake the block then bead blast it. of course, it involved a complete machining job and thorough cleaning after.

if you're not going that route you could use thinner with a scrub brush/wire wheel. you could then use brake kleen or if you have a spray bomb, you could just fill it with thinner and use paper towels. last thing would be to go back to thinner and blow it dry with your air hose.

edit- brian put his post up before me. same process. yes, it makes a mess...

 

[Dan74Bronc]

After I get it back from the machine shop I use Tide laundry soap.

 

[Puritan21]

Thanks for the help.....I'll let them tank it. I didn't know if they would get pissed if I brought it in all nasty.

 

[mlogan24]

Not to take this too far off topic, but I think this is relevant. Anyone have some tips for cleaning transfer cases at home? I've got a 203 and 205 that I want totally clean before I install them. The two biggest hurdles I've found is how do you clean something that big in an area where you don't want anything running in the gutter and what works to clean out porous cast cases?

 

[okorangebrnco]

Before machining, My block was put through a process called bake & blast. This process brings the block to 500 degrees and then blasted with steel shot. This process does require machining afterwards. I have also heard of people doings this to transfercases and and transmission cases. I hope this helps, because my block and heads now that i think about it were done and they looked like fresh castings

 

[TN1776]

Thanks for the help.....I'll let them tank it. I didn't know if they would get pissed if I brought it in all nasty.

I'm sure your engine is not the nastiest they've seen... If you're worried about it, just call them up and ask "how nasty is too nasty"...

Not to take this too far off topic, but I think this is relevant. Anyone have some tips for cleaning transfer cases at home? I've got a 203 and 205 that I want totally clean before I install them. The two biggest hurdles I've found is how do you clean something that big in an area where you don't want anything running in the gutter and what works to clean out porous cast cases?

When I did mine I picked up an oil absorbent mat from the local auto parts store - like a big thick paper towel that was about 3'x5', set the case on this and scrubbed it like crazy with Superclean (or whatever I had around at the time). I may have done some touch up with carb cleaner or brake cleaner too. This was only because the nearest hot tank was full and I didn't want to wait a week to get my case tanked. I got my case very clean this way, painted it up and it looks great.

 

[Puritan21]

Does anyone know what the standard rate is for having the bore measured and crank endplay checked? I don't have all the tools necessary (inside mic) to see if it's going to need bored.

 

[needabronco]

To get your bore measured is free. End play is something to check when you are assembling it, so I'm not really sure if they check it... In my experience machine shops will charge a little more if it's really nasty.

On another note I got busy over the holidays and forgot to respond to your PM. I have not torn my engine down yet, so I'm not sure when those parts will be available. I may go back to MO for a free 351W in a couple of months if you still want my parts then... Casey

 

[Puritan21]

Sounds great! Let me know. Hope you had a great New Year!!!

 

[mlogan24]

I'm sure your engine is not the nastiest they've seen... If you're worried about it, just call them up and ask "how nasty is too nasty"...



When I did mine I picked up an oil absorbent mat from the local auto parts store - like a big thick paper towel that was about 3'x5', set the case on this and scrubbed it like crazy with Superclean (or whatever I had around at the time). I may have done some touch up with carb cleaner or brake cleaner too. This was only because the nearest hot tank was full and I didn't want to wait a week to get my case tanked. I got my case very clean this way, painted it up and it looks great.

Sounds exactly like what I need-thanks! Hope you guys aren't getting too blasted by the storms.