How to clean top of pistons

[66Sprint6]

Well,
as you know I got the head off, now I need to clean the top of the pistons off. How should I go about doin this??? Is there anything else I should do real quick while they are exposed. Also, I noticed that the #1 and #6 piston tops are black and the rest are silver/grey. Whats the deal?? Nothing damaged looking, just different colors.
Matt

 

[CobraSix]

1 and 6 are like that as a result of the log head starving those cylinders for air.

I cleaned mine with the head on. It is pretty easy. Just pour a little bit of water in the carb intake as the car is running. I mean just a little bit. You also have to keep the engine running buy revving it. It will clean your pistons real quick and easy with no damage. Just don't pour a lot...think medicine small syringe.

Slade

 

[66Sprint6]

ah, ok good. It didnt look like anything was messed up but Im glad to hear its definitely not. So I have to wait till I get the head back on, dangit. I have nothing to do right now :roll: so Ive been lookin for projects on it while I can. Oh well, thanx again!
Matt

 

[CobraSix]

You don't have to wait. I cleaned mine off just using a rag with a little bit of denatured alcohol. Not sure if that's the best stuff, but I can't imagine it hurting anything.

Slade

 

[LaGrasta]

Wait! Don't put your head back on with dirty pistons and pour water in the intake. With the head off, start scrubbing. Take a brake cleaner spray of your choice and a soft wool pad and take it down to shiney metal. You can even use a drill with a soft wire brush if the carbon is thick.

Water in the intake?

 

[LaGrasta]

With the head on, how would you even know how well they were cleaned assuming the water celaned them at all?

 

[CobraSix]

Look through the spark plug holes...and look at the crap coming out of your tail pipe. It's a very old trick.

I'm only talking about a small amount of water. Plus, you need your engine running aroudn 2000 RPM and have to keep the engine running, last think you need is hydrolock.

Think of it this way, it does the same basic think as NOS, Water injection, Alcohol Injection...cools the charge temp. The water will steam clean the piston tops.

I got the idea from a long time hot rodder that I work with.

Slade

 

[Anonymous]

Fill all the cylinders up with dishwashing detergent, let it soak for a day, then use a high pressure hose. Put the head back on and leave the rocker cover cap off sart the engine run at high revs and watch all that dirt come out with the bubbles.
Just in case someone does take me serious (and I get in trouble) Im only kidding. Actually had a bit of rubbish on mine with the head off after only about 2000 mile on a new engine. I made the mistake of scrapeing mine off a bit and made a mess of it. A lot of the black stuff went down between the piston and the wall and no matter what I did I didnt seem to be able to collect all the mess I made.
If you can do it with the head on and running it sounds like a good idea to me. Although some things are better left alone. Especially the bubbles idea.

 

[addo]

OK, time to wade in...

You can make a scraper from hard maple. I DO NOT advocate wire wool or wire brushes of other than copper base. Steel traces can ruin your day. Even using something like a 3M nonmetallic abrasive is a walk on the wild side IMO. Clean with the other cylinders well covered, the chosen one to the top of bore, and with thick oil at the edges. When you're done cleaning, wipe, blow it clean with air (one at a time), lower the piston sequentially, wiping that rim grit off each time.

Save the bubbles for the bath after.

Cheers, Adam.

 

[66Sprint6]

Awesome, they are really crappy right now so I will try and clean em up. I dont know what Ill use tho, keep the info comin guys!
Matt

 

[weeds]

For what it is worth.

I would pull the pan and remove the pistons from the car. Clean them inside the car and just too much crap floating around for my comfort.

 

[66Sprint6]

ok, I need something to put on it to clean it up better, brake cleaner, that work?? What about degreaser or somethin, I need help with that
Matt

 

[LaGrasta]

Brake cleaner is awesome. It's about $2 a can, desolves instantly and cleans the hell out of everything. It's strong stuff. I use it when Simple Green can't. Those are my only two cleaners.

 

[66Sprint6]

ok, Ill try that, another question, lol I am full of them, should I change the oil out RIGHT after putting the head back on or is it safe to run a little then do it when I get it tuned up?? Im wondering because of all the cleaner that might seep in or whatever. Again, I know not of what Im talkin about so I ask, lol :roll:
Matt

 

[LaGrasta]

It's actually probably a good idea to run it a 100 miles or so, then change it. That should be long enough to wear away any remaining solvants and still not be in the engine long enough to do any harm.

 

[simon]

ok, time for my two cents...

pouring small amounts of water (stress that "small") down the carb trhoat into the revvin engine like Slade told is absolutely OK and -if done properly-shouldn´t harm the engine.

Old brake fluid works even better - but avoid inhalin the fumes from yer tailpipes. And try not to get caught by neighbours or cops... burning brake fluid by pouring into a running engine is hazardous and prohibited in most countries of the world... but WAY effective!

I´m not so sure about pouring water into the cylinders with the head removed, letting it soak for a day (!) , then steam cleaning the piston tops (!!!) and running it afterwards without changin that engine oil???
Sounds like suicide to me. Piston rings are supposed to seal against hot burnt gasses and oil while piston is moving, not for underwater adventures!

 

[66Sprint6]

Yeah, Im just wondering if I use brake cleaner if it will harm the motor to run it with it still there or should I change the oil out. It would make sense to run it a little then change it out. I plan on just putting it on the taking it right off. Old brake fluid, sounds like somethin I oughta try.
Matt

 

[addo]

Simon was advocating caution; remember that brake fluid is a component in homemade bombs. Take care and don't create an explosive environment...

 

[Anonymous]

Matt,

Just scrape off the hard deposits with either a scraper made out of maple (like adam said) or a hard plastic bondo scraper.

Spray a large amount of carb cleaner on a rag and wipe off everything you can. Take a shop vac and suck up anything that gets between the piston and cylinder wall, then wipe it all off with a clean lint free rag.

After you get it back together, fire it up and let it reach operating temperature (15-20 minutes) Then after it cools off, change the oil and filter....that should do it!

Later,

Doug

 

[66Sprint6]

Alrighty,
got myself carb cleaner. Figured you spray it on the carb when the motor is runnign so it must not be too bad for it. I also got a plastic scraper thing. Will try it out tonight, thanx for the help as usualy guys, you all are great!!!!!!!
Matt