cleaning transmission cases

FED 387 · 06-27-2008, 09:24 AM

Any suggestions on how to clean 1000's of miles of road grime oil/grease and crud off the outside of stock aluminum automatic transmission cases??? I just picked up several and want to get them cleaned to do a race trans build up----Can you clean them like a iron block that is bake them and then blast them or will this ruin the machined passages in the case???? I,m sure the trans shops have a way of cleaning them just need to find out how or what they are doing---Thanx Comp 387

SSDiv6 · 06-27-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FED 387

Any suggestions on how to clean 1000's of miles of road grime oil/grease and crud off the outside of stock aluminum automatic transmission cases??? I just picked up several and want to get them cleaned to do a race trans build up----Can you clean them like a iron block that is bake them and then blast them or will this ruin the machined passages in the case???? I,m sure the trans shops have a way of cleaning them just need to find out how or what they are doing---Thanx Comp 387

Steam cleaneer or vapor degreasing machine. Do not bake them.

bob gonier · 06-27-2008, 11:51 AM

A friend of mine just got out of the Soda Blasting business and to tell you the truth that was the best way to clean anything greasy. He Soda Blasted a few trans for me and they come out looking BRAND NEW. All the factory markings remain and the different contrasting metals all look new. Its really pretty amazing. Do a search for local Soda Blasting and have it done with the water.....Its that nice and worth the effort.

Great for blocks and heads too !!!!!!!!

Just an idea..................

bob

Daran Summerton · 06-27-2008, 01:33 PM

The very best way is on the driveway, that way your wife can walk thru it and then get into her new car. The look on her face will be priceless. Ask me how I know

NHRA3106 · 06-27-2008, 02:48 PM

The simple shadetree way, which you may be aware of, is to simply use Easy O.ff oven cleaner. Just coat, let sit for awhile, and rinse. Using a pressure washer to rinse is even better. With no tank, I always final wash inside and outside with Dawn dishwashing liquid. My cases always clean up great. Of course I'm only doing my own and not a hundred customers.

Paul Precht · 06-27-2008, 04:08 PM

Daran, you and I think alike, Paul.

BillK · 06-28-2008, 08:54 AM

Fed,
Most transmission shops have a large spray wash cabinet that the clean them in. See if your machine shop has one, we have done a few for one customer that builds his own transmissions. Its the same machine we use to clean aluminum heads.

06-27-2008, 09:24 AM	#1
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,420 Likes: 529 Liked 333 Times in 180 Posts	cleaning transmission cases Any suggestions on how to clean 1000's of miles of road grime oil/grease and crud off the outside of stock aluminum automatic transmission cases??? I just picked up several and want to get them cleaned to do a race trans build up----Can you clean them like a iron block that is bake them and then blast them or will this ruin the machined passages in the case???? I,m sure the trans shops have a way of cleaning them just need to find out how or what they are doing---Thanx Comp 387

06-27-2008, 11:51 AM	#3
bob gonier Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: monroe twp nj Posts: 66 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: cleaning transmission cases A friend of mine just got out of the Soda Blasting business and to tell you the truth that was the best way to clean anything greasy. He Soda Blasted a few trans for me and they come out looking BRAND NEW. All the factory markings remain and the different contrasting metals all look new. Its really pretty amazing. Do a search for local Soda Blasting and have it done with the water.....Its that nice and worth the effort. Great for blocks and heads too !!!!!!!! Just an idea.................. bob

06-27-2008, 01:33 PM	#4
Daran Summerton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Las Vegas nv Posts: 600 Likes: 18 Liked 66 Times in 37 Posts	Re: cleaning transmission cases The very best way is on the driveway, that way your wife can walk thru it and then get into her new car. The look on her face will be priceless. Ask me how I know

06-27-2008, 02:48 PM	#5
NHRA3106 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Midway, KY Posts: 154 Likes: 21 Liked 143 Times in 37 Posts	Re: cleaning transmission cases The simple shadetree way, which you may be aware of, is to simply use Easy O.ff oven cleaner. Just coat, let sit for awhile, and rinse. Using a pressure washer to rinse is even better. With no tank, I always final wash inside and outside with Dawn dishwashing liquid. My cases always clean up great. Of course I'm only doing my own and not a hundred customers.

06-27-2008, 04:08 PM	#6
Paul Precht Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Elysburg, Pa Posts: 732 Likes: 357 Liked 326 Times in 120 Posts	Re: cleaning transmission cases Daran, you and I think alike, Paul.

06-28-2008, 08:54 AM	#7
BillK Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Waldorf Md Posts: 230 Likes: 12 Liked 30 Times in 17 Posts	Re: cleaning transmission cases Fed, Most transmission shops have a large spray wash cabinet that the clean them in. See if your machine shop has one, we have done a few for one customer that builds his own transmissions. Its the same machine we use to clean aluminum heads. __________________ Bill Koustenis