Cleaning Pistons and Valves

[patmckinneyracing]

Does anyone know what grit sandpaper to use to clean off the tops of pistons and valves?

 

[tc1959]

I always soaked pistons in carb cleaner,to dissolve the carbon then rinse with water they look new.Sanding or wire wheeling pistons can burnish them causing hot spots. At my old shop we had a hot parts washer that used a non foaming soap kinda like a big dishwasher. Most transmission shops or machine shops will have one. Valves can be cleaned with a wire wheel.

 

[patmckinneyracing]

Good idea with the carb cleaner. With the pistons, I was thinking of using 1500 grit or even lighter to clean them up. Could lacquer thinner be used as a substitute cause carb cleaner is a little more expensive and I have a 10 gallon drum of lacquer thinner lol.

 

[tc1959]

Good idea with the carb cleaner. With the pistons, I was thinking of using 1500 grit or even lighter to clean them up. Could lacquer thinner be used as a substitute cause carb cleaner is a little more expensive and I have a 10 gallon drum of lacquer thinner lol.

It will degrease them no problem,dont know if it will remove carbon.

 

[pontiacgp]

to clean the carbon use oven cleaner or soak them in coke....

 

[patmckinneyracing]

pontiacgp, are you talkin Coca Cola? I've heard of it being used on battery posts and some rust, but never at cleaning carb :lol: learn something new everyday.

 

[pontiacgp]

yes I'm talking coca cola....the other stuff is too expensive for us poor folks... :shock:

 

[tc1959]

to clean the carbon use oven cleaner or soak them in coke....

Supposedly it will dissolve anything.Might be worth a go. :shock: :lol:

 

[81cutlass]

Purple power from Wally World. Cheepish and good. Just dont leave the stuff in too long. Ive heard carbs have melted in the stuff.

 

[bigjoenvegas]

yes I'm talking coca cola....the other stuff is too expensive for us poor folks... :shock: