Cleaning an aluminum head
 

What is the best way to remove carbon buildup. The wire brushes I used on the iron heads are too aggressive for the aluminum heads.
Thanks

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

3M makes plastic Roloc discs for cleaning aluminum parts. I think they call them bristle discs and are available in different amount of aggressive according to the color. I tend to use the yellow ones

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Oven cleaner, Super Clean, Brake cleaner, 100 grit 3M Pro-Pad Hand Sanding Sponge and lots of elbow grease.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

We used Snap-On (Bluepoint) p/n AC16C wire brushes in our test labs. These brushes would not damage aluminum heads or blocks. The wire diameter is .006" so they are quite soft.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Larry--- you might look into using Berrymans Chem Dip-# 0996 carb cleaner--dont soak parts for more than 30-45 minutes at a time and "lightly" brush the carbon with a parts cleaning brush ---then take a shop towel and "dry and rub the carbon" it will come off just takes time depends on how bad it is may have to repeat the procedure multiple times--- Dick

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

I got some Dremel tool wire brushes the steel wire ones last longer than the brass ones. And have some ss steel tooth brushes to use in the runners with brakeclean.

Thanks for all the good ideas.
Common sense in abundance is genius!

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Carb clean will dissolve the carbon way better than the brake cleaner.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

On my iron heads, bead blasting them in my blast cabinet with walnut shell media works pretty well in the exhaust ports and the other nooks and crannies, etc. as long as the heads are completely disassembled such that you can wash out all of the media with a garden hose and compressed air when you're done. And I've cleaned other aluminum parts with walnut shells as well and they don't change the surface finish at all so I'm guessing that they would work well and be OK on a cylinder head. But you should probably try it on a non-critical area first and start with a relatively low pressure. And if you are not aware, Harbor Freight has the walnut shell media if you need some.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

I will shell out some dollars for some shells and some carb cleaner and give it a try.

We have black walnut trees in the yard and to crack the shells it takes a big hammer and safety glasses.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

I just spit sweet tea outa my nose! Thanks Larry. Jim



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Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

I have about 100 black walnut trees, I guess they're good for something other than feeding the chipmunks and making a mess. The chipmunks make huge piles of them in the weirdest places and the next day they'll all be gone.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

I know this is an older thread but...

Is bead blasting or soda blasting within the rules for stock?
It's not SAND blasting after all.



Brad

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

I blast them with Walnut Shells or Baking Soda. Just make sure there is no oil on them, Castrol Super Clean and a garden hose hooked to your hot water tank makes de-greasing easy before blasting. Lots of times you don?t have to blast after Super Clean is used with a brass wire brush. MB

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Glass beading works well if all oil is removed first.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Thank You Maurice and Glenn ,

I will give both methods a try

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

That’s funny. I can tell you that the stocker guys having their aluminum heads ported ain’t concerted about the rules, much less what method is used to clean them.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

I have been told that GM Top Engine Cleaner is an excellent carbon cleaner. Especially tho older stuff in the red white and black can (#1050002). So much so that the firearms guys use it to clean up carbon fouled, neglected guns.

I have some here, but I have yet to try it out. And I see it on ebay as well.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

You can use Hoppe's #9 gun bore cleaner. You can get it a Walmart in the hunting section for a few bucks.
Ive used it to clean carbon off piston tops with a fine scotchbrite pad and it works great.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

It must be Tuesday. Motor mouth out here tossing around some pretty wild and serious accusations, that I would bet any amount of money, he could not actually back up.

When people (social media haters specifically who must really have terrible lives for whatever reason), aimlessly just throw out garbage in print, they should really think first before clicking the send button.

It wasn't enough already that an NHRA Racer got banned recently from using their inked (and spent already social media sponsorship $$$), due to wild accusations that may or may not even have a single thread of truth to them (sure, could be or not with Only Fans, as much of it appears to be paid subscriber adult content...I don't know personally, but I also hear that some have channels there because they like to cook BBQ, work on/show cars, and others who just flat got tired of giving their hard work & internet content away for free on YouTube and maybe they are actually tired of getting
demonetized for their music or content choices. Who knows, the result was just sad to hear about for that specific racer. Just saying as adults let's deal with facts, not wild accusations and supposition. Lastly do not judge, lest ye be judged. Hot Button pusher. (See how easy that is...I was talking about your Trans brake).

Easy Off Oven Cleaner and a soft brush, or Chemtool Carb Cleaner both have my vote.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

and again you'd be WRONG! Talk about what you know not what you think you know!!

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Use this; This user is on your Ignore List.

I like oven cleaner, just don't get it on any painted surface!!

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

An ultrasonic cleaner works really good for us. We do several sets of LS and LT heads every day.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Does anyone have a contact for a shop with a Ultrasonic cleaner in the Phoenix area?


These heads are 22x12x8 inches



Thanks,
Brad

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Something no one has mentioned.. You can put them in the dishwasher if you are single or brave or stupid LOL
We have ran Cascade in our jet spray(hot tank) in a pinch.. 5 boxes to 80 gallons of water, works great.
I'm sure you could probably mix in hot water and scrub heads with it
Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Hi Robbie ,


What is the typical size of Ultrasonic Cleaners used for cylinder heads?


Thanks,
Brad

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

I switched over a blast cabinet to Baking soda and its the best. Does a great job on carbs also then just wash i hot water and it all dissolves. You don't have to worry about any media hiding and coming loose and crashing an engine.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Soak in simple green works for me.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

A big thanks to everyone that offered a workable solution!

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Soak in a mix of oxy-clean and water, softens and loosens that carbon in a few hours. Good trick. Did not discolor the aluminum at all.

Wife saw me cleaning the ring grooves on used pistons and recommended it.

Re: Cleaning an aluminum head
 

Anyone try the dry ice method popular on the you tube channels?
https://youtu.be/-OhN7QjiusQ?si=NZVcc-7B1udUkgKf