[Jonathon Swartz]

i need some help cleaning my 2.3t pistons. i was going to use a wire brush but it was scratching them up, so..... what do i use to clean them? i was going to buy some in an engine master kit but the company i was going to buy it from has not emailed me back to tell me if the pistons in the kit are forged or cast. thanks for your time.


jonathon

p.s. i have slight scratches on the skrits will that hurt the walls of the block?

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1988 tc 5 spd with all options except leather all original with the exception of a k&n airfilter, bypassed bcs, 3inch down pipe, and a flowmaster catback (way too exspensive).

[67King]

Try brake cleaner.

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89 XR4Ti, purchased 2/9/02, and not quite running... Go fast goodies awaiting installation: T-5, LA2, Audi Intercooler, Mitsu BOV, Ranger roller.....more coming
'67 GTO
2000 Harley-Davidson edition F-150

[Turbopit]

I agree. Soak them in it over night and they will look new. You could also use carb cleaner. For something a little less toxic, simple green, puple cleaner, etc... works well to soak in over night.

Originally posted by 67King:
Try brake cleaner.

[This message has been edited by Turbopit (edited 03-18-2002).]

[svo855]

Soak them over night in B9 or something like it.

[Mark Field]

I have allways found that stainless steel brushes leave a nice shinny finish without scratching the aluminum. You might have to go to an abrasives store to find them, but I find them invaluable when working with aluminum parts for removing gaskets, carbon, etc.

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Have a Great Day...

Pair of '86 SVO's

Mark Field
[email protected]

[67King]

Originally posted by Mark Field:
I have allways found that stainless steel brushes leave a nice shinny finish without scratching the aluminum.

Yikes. Be extremely careful if you do this. Steel is much harder than aluminum, and can scratch it (not saying you will). Evidently, he's had luck, but do be careful.

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89 XR4Ti, purchased 2/9/02, and not quite running... Go fast goodies awaiting installation: T-5, LA2, Audi Intercooler, Mitsu BOV, Ranger roller.....more coming
'67 GTO
2000 Harley-Davidson edition F-150

[Jonathon Swartz]

thanks guys for all your help. i have tomorrow off so i hope to get a lot of work done.

thanks again,
jonathon

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1988 tc 5 spd with all options except leather all original with the exception of a k&n airfilter, bypassed bcs, 3inch down pipe, and a flowmaster catback (way too exspensive).

[swerve]

For sure dont get them hot tanked, the melting point of aluminum is much lower than cast or steel, they can deform.

I sometimes use turpentine, its kind of the same thing as parts cleaner. Please anyone let me know if this is a mistake for my, as well as others future reference.

At alot of machine shops they have a 55 gallon drum of aluminum cleaner that they soak the pistons in for a day or 2, stripping virtually anything off but the aluminum. I guess that depends on if the rod is connected and if you put new rings on already (obviously theyre off i hope...).

Id ask around at machine shops what it would cost or if they might have that available.

[Shabazz]

Fortd makes a product called carburator and tune up cleaner, comes in either a spary or pour can. This stuff will eat the carbon and gunk right off the pistons, just let them soak overnight.

[Turbopit]

You guys make the simplest of tasks way to hard. A trip to the machine shop? If you work on cars much at all you should already have plenty of products at home that will clean them right up. Heck, look under the kitchen sink for a cleaner if nothing else. [Image: smile.gif]