6 replies to this topic

[maccers]

I have taken the cylinder head off my 1275 engine to replace a suspected failed head gasket, now the head is off I am going to get the face skimmed and lap in the valves, new guides and rubbers etc.

What can I clean the tops of the piston faces with? They are still in the block connected up, so want to avoid getting too much dirt etc into the water and oil ways.

Was thinking about WD40 and a soft brush or sponge?

[new_zealand _minis]

you can use petrol.. brake clean .. paint thinners . etc ... wet and dry paper .. or a scotch brite pad used for car painting .. or a steelo used for srubbing dishes etc use these soaked with chosen fluid . or as you say brush ..

i used thinners at work to clean my head worked really well

[liirge]

I have taken the cylinder head off my 1275 engine to replace a suspected failed head gasket, now the head is off I am going to get the face skimmed and lap in the valves, new guides and rubbers etc.

What can I clean the tops of the piston faces with? They are still in the block connected up, so want to avoid getting too much dirt etc into the water and oil ways.

Was thinking about WD40 and a soft brush or sponge?

Right....

Careful here, there are a 2 schools of thought on this one:

1. Clean up carefully with thinners as described above

2. Leave it well alone! (my personal choice), the rough reason behind this one is that you will disturb the "carbon seal" on the piston, and you may find that when you reuse the engine it will start burning oil! Now I'm not saying this WILL happen, as many people do clean their pistons with success, but then again others do it and the engine's a dog afterwards.

Edited by liirge, 16 September 2011 - 09:07 AM.

[MRA]

What ever you choose to do ..... do NOT use anything metallic, like steel wool for instance as this will create a hot spot if a piece gets down the piston to bore gap

cleaning the crown is ok but as above do not make too much of a good job...

[maccers]

Cheers all, think i will go for the minimal approach! Have stripped and cleaned head, not cracked, just got to clean up valves and then lap them into seats when I get it back from machine shop.

[Ethel]

You could do the old grease in the ring land trick...

Fill the gap round the piston with grease, loose crud will stick on top of it and can be wiped off after the piston has been cranked down the bore.

[jaydee]

I have taken the cylinder head off my 1275 engine to replace a suspected failed head gasket, now the head is off I am going to get the face skimmed and lap in the valves, new guides and rubbers etc.

What can I clean the tops of the piston faces with? They are still in the block connected up, so want to avoid getting too much dirt etc into the water and oil ways.

Was thinking about WD40 and a soft brush or sponge?

Right....

Careful here, there are a 2 schools of thought on this one:

1. Clean up carefully with thinners as described above

2. Leave it well alone! (my personal choice), the rough reason behind this one is that you will disturb the "carbon seal" on the piston, and you may find that when you reuse the engine it will start burning oil! Now I'm not saying this WILL happen, as many people do clean their pistons with success, but then again others do it and the engine's a dog afterwards.

Totally agree with the above, leave the piston as it is, and dechoke the head with petrol or thinner. (i use to soak the chamber in petrol then wash away the crap with compressed air.)

Filling the gap with grease is the only way if you really want to clean the pistons.