How to clean pistons

[Ripcity]

Rebuliding my 302 and the machine shop states the block does not need bored just honed and new rings. Pistons look good however, they do have grease and carbon build up. What is the best way to clean them up and do I need to take the rods off? Do I need to buy a ring groove cleaner before installing rings?

 

[Viperwolf1]

I'd leave the rods on if you are not having them reconditioned. You can soak the pistons in a can of marvel mystery oil over night. Then use a nylon brush to get most of the carbon off. An old broken ring does a good job in the grooves.

 

[bax]

You got to get the carbon and crap out of the ring lands. leave them on the rods. As Phil said a broken ring works for a good cleaner but a real ring cleaner works so much easier. Purple power works good on pistons.

 

[TBS-POPS]

Gallon can of Chemtool carb cleaner, soak overnite one at a time, good as new.

 

[bax]

One at a time? Put them top down on a cookie pan and pour the gallon of chemtool in it. 8 in one night and you can get the pan back before anyone sees it's gone.

 

[Viperwolf1]

One at a time? Put them top down on a cookie pan and pour the gallon of chemtool in it. 8 in one night and you can get the pan back before anyone sees it's gone.

Ummmm. I can smell the Chem-cookies already.

 

[scbronco]

One at a time? Put them top down on a cookie pan and pour the gallon of chemtool in it. 8 in one night and you can get the pan back before anyone sees it's gone.

i bet your wife wonders why the cookies always have a burnt greasy bite to em'...;D;D;D

 

[blubuckaroo]

Mask the piston sides and bead blast the tops. Clean every bit of the media off before reassembly.

 

[bax]

i bet your wife wonders why the cookies always have a burnt greasy bite to em'...;D;D;D

It's just my way of saying I love you. I'm diabetic and cant eat the dam cookies anyway.

 

[Broncoholic1]

Mask the piston sides and bead blast the tops. Clean every bit of the media off before reassembly.

Yes use Gorilla tape & bead blast the tops'


Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm Chem Cookies,,,

 

[blue bronco66]

i used a soft wire wheel on the tops of mine. its still running

 

[needabronco]

I used a soft metal gun scrubbing brush and some purple power type cleaner, and they look like new. Be very carefull not to scuff or scratch tops, and especially the sides of the pistons.

 

[durwood71]

Unless you already have the fancy tools and a media blaster, The Chem dip with a soft wire wheel on a drill or bench grinder and an old ring for the grooves work fine. I've done several times.
But I've never gotten away with putting the cookie pan back in the kitchen!

 

[Pa PITT]

Having had a parts store back in the day when we did a lot of overhauls. All the old shops back then just took the tops of the pistons to the wire wheel. Cleaned them afterwards with any cleaner. Even soaked them in a bucket of diesel. I've always had a ring grove cleaner but I've tryed the broken ring before but I get along much better with the groove cleaner and a vice to hold the piston still.

 

[Wyflyer]

You can clamp the rod in a vise with the piston on top of the vice, peel the rings off the piston and use one of the old rings as a scraper. Just scrape the carbon off till you have a clean top then toss the ring in the trash along with the others. Move on to the next piston till all 8 are done. Also use a ring to clean the grooves.
I know a commercial engine shop that uses this method, there is no cost of chemical cleaners, and is done instantly no waiting.