Best method for cleaning heads?

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WelfareWagon

Apprentice
Jun 12, 2017
55
74
18
Missouri
Want to see if any of you all have a great method for cleaning some cylinder heads good enough to get them into a parts washer. Thanks for the input!
0e9368d9fc625a04da45c4caf3972405.jpg
 

Texas82GP

Just-a-worm
Apr 3, 2015
7,981
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Spring, Texas
You could start with Foamy Engine Bright and the quarter carwash. If you are going to have them machined, why not just take them to the machine shop and let them hot tank them?
 
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malibujustin

Master Mechanic
Mar 11, 2017
333
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Want to see if any of you all have a great method for cleaning some cylinder heads good enough to get them into a parts washer. Thanks for the input!
0e9368d9fc625a04da45c4caf3972405.jpg
I have used easy off oven cleaner on real greasy parts. I have used it on aluminum transmission cases too. Just didn't leave it on as long. Or local self service car wash.
 
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Injectedcutty

G body LS mafia
Nov 24, 2014
6,057
22,807
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Louisville, KY
Want to see if any of you all have a great method for cleaning some cylinder heads good enough to get them into a parts washer. Thanks for the input!
0e9368d9fc625a04da45c4caf3972405.jpg
I'm curious as well since i just picked up a set of 862 heads yesterday, and they are grimey! I used purple power on my other LS parts(straight, undiluted) with great results....I'm sure it will work just as good on the heads. I don't have a before pic, but these valve covers were nasty when i got em....this is after a couple rounds with a nylon brush.....
20170424_163649.jpg
LS_862_HEADS.jpg


I know brake cleaner works good for darn near everything.
Btw, you have a nice stash of parts in that bed!
 
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Texas82GP

Just-a-worm
Apr 3, 2015
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Spring, Texas
You could start with Foamy Engine Bright and the quarter carwash. If you are going to have them machined, why not just take them to the machine shop and let them hot tank them?
Be sure to get them real dry. You don't want the valves rusted to the guides. It might be better to break them down first.
 
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Bar50

Royal Smart Person
Jan 1, 2009
1,180
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Tulsa, OK
Ask a local repair shop about putting the parts in their 'dish washer' for a nominal fee?
 

WelfareWagon

Apprentice
Jun 12, 2017
55
74
18
Missouri
Well the heads I think I'm going to use a car wash for then soak them with a can of wd-40 then wipe that off then hit it with brakeclean after I soak them in easy off.


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WelfareWagon

Apprentice
Jun 12, 2017
55
74
18
Missouri
I'm curious as well since i just picked up a set of 862 heads yesterday, and they are grimey! I used purple power on my other LS parts(straight, undiluted) with great results....I'm sure it will work just as good on the heads. I don't have a before pic, but these valve covers were nasty when i got em....this is after a couple rounds with a nylon brush..... View attachment 68917 View attachment 68918

I know brake cleaner works good for darn near everything.
Btw, you have a nice stash of parts in that bed!

Thank you sir! The differential is junk, the tires are spanked and about 30 years old, the wheels I need to sell, and the LS parts are for my 5.3 and 6.0. Just bought the wagon two months ago and did the power tour from KC to Madison, IL and now I want my 5.3 in there for fuel mileage for next year. Didn't do too bad this year, averaged 17 mpg with a sbc 350/ th350 trans and the stock rear gear ratio on a 275/65R15 drag radial.
252ac97542a780a0038ae0e0d7552f10.jpg
 
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WelfareWagon

Apprentice
Jun 12, 2017
55
74
18
Missouri
I'm curious as well since i just picked up a set of 862 heads yesterday, and they are grimey! I used purple power on my other LS parts(straight, undiluted) with great results....I'm sure it will work just as good on the heads. I don't have a before pic, but these valve covers were nasty when i got em....this is after a couple rounds with a nylon brush..... View attachment 68917 View attachment 68918

I know brake cleaner works good for darn near everything.
Btw, you have a nice stash of parts in that bed!
My heads are also 862's. I've got a turbo off of a 2005 powerstroke also but I don't think it's going to make its way on the car by next year.
 
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Injectedcutty

G body LS mafia
Nov 24, 2014
6,057
22,807
113
Louisville, KY
My heads are also 862's. I've got a turbo off of a 2005 powerstroke also but I don't think it's going to make its way on the car by next year.
Nice! The heads were actually pulled from the same burban i got the valve covers, rockers and some misc bolts from. At least i know everything will bolt up with no issue. After a seal and spring upgrade to some btr .660's, they will go onto the 5.3 i just finished short blocking a couple weeks ago. It will get twins at some point, with a 4l80 nestled into my 87 cutlass.

Here is a pic of the 5.3. Fresh rebuilt with new bearings, rings, and wrist pins, torque plate honed, and a new gmpp crank. I put a tick turbo stage 1 cam in it, ls2 chain dampener, and a bunch of other goodies.
20170607_155215.jpg
 
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