Engine cleaning! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jgrisafi · 04-20-2008, 08:05 AM

Can someone tell me the best way to go about cleaning a GM350 small block. After I get it out of my truck I want to take it apart and give it a good cleaning. Is there a good engine degreaser that I should use that wont harm any parts?

jhow66 · 04-20-2008, 08:28 AM

Pressure washer for outside.

HoupPhotography · 04-20-2008, 08:56 AM

Disagree on the pressure washer unless your taking the motor apart OR your very careful around the gaskets.
The best way is engine degreaser and\or carb cleaner and a wire brush..... but it depends on how dirty it is..... BE VERY CAREFUL WITH ANY LIQUIDS WHEN CLEANING YOUR MOTOR!

jhow66 · 04-20-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoupPhotography

Disagree on the pressure washer unless your taking the motor apart OR your very careful around the gaskets.
The best way is engine degreaser andor carb cleaner and a wire brush..... but it depends on how dirty it is..... BE VERY CAREFUL WITH ANY LIQUIDS WHEN CLEANING YOUR MOTOR!

I was assuming it was coming apart.

Sport/Truck · 04-20-2008, 05:02 PM

I rented a Hotsey hot water cleaner and cleaned every thing before I rebuilt the motor. The hot water cuts through the grease and a little cleaner helps too.
s/t

ShowSS12 · 04-23-2008, 06:54 AM

if yu dont' mind me asking how much to rent one of those things?

Farmstore34 · 04-23-2008, 07:47 AM

If you are planning to tear it down and replace bearings and misc I would suggest taking the big parts to a machine shop and have them hot tanked. That will get the heads and block thoroughly cleaned inside and out. Be aware that any aluminum parts (cam bearings, etc) will be melted away.

jorgensensc · 04-23-2008, 03:55 PM

Castrol super clean (purple jug at wally world in auto section) and a pressure washer.
Shawn

Shyguy · 04-23-2008, 04:09 PM

Great pictures s/t.

Most of the time all we see is the result of people working on their trucks.

It is good to actually see some work being done.

Danny

Chris4x4Gill2 · 04-23-2008, 04:32 PM

I let the machine shop clean the major parts such as the block and heads.

The Everything else I used a concentrated Degreaser from Harbor Freight. I mixed it pretty heavy and then let the parts I wanted to clean soak in a shallow pan of the stuff for a few days. This worked great for the tins and such, but be careful of anything that will rust.

Premium72 · 04-23-2008, 04:37 PM

i hear oven cleaner is a good engine cleaner. i never tried it. but they say it works.

Sequoyah · 04-23-2008, 05:02 PM

Simple Green full strength and a lot of different size stiff brushes will do the trick

cdowns · 04-23-2008, 06:30 PM

with the many hundreds of engines that i've had and cleaned i've never had a problem with gasket damage due to pressure washing

arkracing · 04-24-2008, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorgensensc

Castrol super clean (purple jug at wally world in auto section) and a pressure washer.
Shawn

x2

1956cameo · 04-24-2008, 04:44 AM

I have had great success with some stuff called "Purple Power" use it at full concentrate. You can get it at Wal-Mart, Autozone, or anywhere auto parts are sold. Spray it on, scrub with brush, hose off. Repeat until clean. Gets all of my motors and frames spotless from oil and grease. Doesnt take very long and is really cheap $6-$8 a gallon. If you can use in combination with a pressure washer it will speed up the process to one or two scrubbings.

**El Jay** · 04-24-2008, 04:58 AM

"Greased Lightning". Available just about anywhere cleaning stuff is sold; grocery store, Ace, etc.
Then hook your garden hose to the drain on your water heater.

Spray on the Greased Lightning, let it set for a few minutes.
PUT ON SOME SAFETY GOGGLES, OR SAFETY GLASSES @ the minimum, and then hose it off.
Obviously you have to cover sensitive things like the carb & dizzie.

jay_shy · 04-24-2008, 05:08 AM

I used the dollar general brand oven cleaner on mine. Worked very well.

Jason

jorgensensc · 04-24-2008, 05:47 PM

dollar store oven cleaner works, but it will take the paint off. that is what i use when I pull an engine and want to clean up the engine compartment.
Shawn

Russell · 04-24-2008, 07:54 PM

I always use easy off. Spray it on, let it sit for 15 - 20 minutes then hose it off with a pressure washer.

BowTieOgre · 04-24-2008, 08:35 PM

I used oven cleaner on my last 2 motors. I gave it a heavy coating and took a spray bottle with hot water/simple green and a toothbrush and started spraying the engine at close range while giving it a scrub. I went back and gave it a good wipedown and laid some paint on it.

rickf · 04-25-2008, 08:22 AM

Most oven cleaners use caustic soda, aka lye, aka sodium hydroxide. Same stuff as most drain cleaners. So you'd be washing the engine essentially with diluted Drano.

That's not really problem for iron, but it is a big problem for skin and aluminum. Sodium hydroxide reacts with aluminum and one of the by-products is hydrogen. Odds are you won't produce enough hydrogen to blow up the garage, but the stuff is going to etch your once shiny aluminum.

Best to stick with degreasers that are just about degreasing, eg. Gunk or the purple jug stuff, and stay away from the chemicals meant to reduce almost everything to sludge.

04-20-2008, 08:05 AM	#1
jgrisafi Velocity Speed Shop Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 172	Engine cleaning! Can someone tell me the best way to go about cleaning a GM350 small block. After I get it out of my truck I want to take it apart and give it a good cleaning. Is there a good engine degreaser that I should use that wont harm any parts?

04-20-2008, 08:28 AM	#2
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: Engine cleaning! Pressure washer for outside. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

04-20-2008, 08:56 AM	#3
HoupPhotography Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 1,204	Re: Engine cleaning! Disagree on the pressure washer unless your taking the motor apart OR your very careful around the gaskets. The best way is engine degreaser and\or carb cleaner and a wire brush..... but it depends on how dirty it is..... BE VERY CAREFUL WITH ANY LIQUIDS WHEN CLEANING YOUR MOTOR! __________________ R.I.P. Scott Kalitta

04-20-2008, 05:02 PM	#5
Sport/Truck Sierra Grande Club Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 2,433	Re: Engine cleaning! I rented a Hotsey hot water cleaner and cleaned every thing before I rebuilt the motor. The hot water cuts through the grease and a little cleaner helps too. s/t Attached Images __________________ 1971 GMC Sierra Grande, 1/2 ton short wide, original 4 bolt 010 020 block & heads. (matching #'s). 383 stroker, SMI q jet 750 cfm, Lunati Voodoo 60102 cam, Scorpion roller rockers, Spin Tech pro street mufflers with X pipe.

04-23-2008, 06:54 AM	#6
ShowSS12 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sugarland,Tejas Posts: 356	Re: Engine cleaning! if yu dont' mind me asking how much to rent one of those things? __________________ Adam M STX Designs Motorcycles \| Choppers \| Hotrods

04-23-2008, 07:47 AM	#7
Farmstore34 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 109	Re: Engine cleaning! If you are planning to tear it down and replace bearings and misc I would suggest taking the big parts to a machine shop and have them hot tanked. That will get the heads and block thoroughly cleaned inside and out. Be aware that any aluminum parts (cam bearings, etc) will be melted away.

04-23-2008, 03:55 PM	#8
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Re: Engine cleaning! Castrol super clean (purple jug at wally world in auto section) and a pressure washer. Shawn __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

04-23-2008, 04:09 PM	#9
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Engine cleaning! Great pictures s/t. Most of the time all we see is the result of people working on their trucks. It is good to actually see some work being done. Danny

04-23-2008, 04:32 PM	#10
Chris4x4Gill2 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 794	Re: Engine cleaning! I let the machine shop clean the major parts such as the block and heads. The Everything else I used a concentrated Degreaser from Harbor Freight. I mixed it pretty heavy and then let the parts I wanted to clean soak in a shallow pan of the stuff for a few days. This worked great for the tins and such, but be careful of anything that will rust.

04-23-2008, 04:37 PM	#11
Premium72 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Villa Rica Ga Posts: 889	Re: Engine cleaning! i hear oven cleaner is a good engine cleaner. i never tried it. but they say it works. __________________ WombatFire, Art-Design-MADNESS Follow My Build and Adventures on Instagram

04-23-2008, 05:02 PM	#12
Sequoyah so easy a caveman can do it... Join Date: May 2006 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 419	Re: Engine cleaning! Simple Green full strength and a lot of different size stiff brushes will do the trick __________________ My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=242380

04-23-2008, 06:30 PM	#13
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Engine cleaning! with the many hundreds of engines that i've had and cleaned i've never had a problem with gasket damage due to pressure washing __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-24-2008, 04:44 AM	#15
1956cameo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Angleton, TX Posts: 2,219	Re: Engine cleaning! I have had great success with some stuff called "Purple Power" use it at full concentrate. You can get it at Wal-Mart, Autozone, or anywhere auto parts are sold. Spray it on, scrub with brush, hose off. Repeat until clean. Gets all of my motors and frames spotless from oil and grease. Doesnt take very long and is really cheap $6-$8 a gallon. If you can use in combination with a pressure washer it will speed up the process to one or two scrubbings.

04-24-2008, 04:58 AM	#16
El Jay Gone to greener pastures Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gateway to the Delta Posts: 7,354	Re: Engine cleaning! "Greased Lightning". Available just about anywhere cleaning stuff is sold; grocery store, Ace, etc. Then hook your garden hose to the drain on your water heater. Spray on the Greased Lightning, let it set for a few minutes. PUT ON SOME SAFETY GOGGLES, OR SAFETY GLASSES @ the minimum, and then hose it off. Obviously you have to cover sensitive things like the carb & dizzie. __________________ '69 Chevy 1/2 T LWB Stepper: Daily Beater '72 GMC 3/4 T Fleet: Another Daily Beater '72 Plymouth Gran Coupe: ? "Ah women. They make the highs higher and the lows more frequent." Friedrich Nietzsche "Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day." Harry S. Truman GUN CONTROL: Never having to say, "I missed you." Always fire two warning shots into your attacker's chest area before putting a bullet between his eyes. Paraphrased from Louis Awerbuck

04-24-2008, 05:08 AM	#17
jay_shy SWB 4X4 CLUB Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 1,088	Re: Engine cleaning! I used the dollar general brand oven cleaner on mine. Worked very well. Jason



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04-24-2008, 05:47 PM	#18
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Re: Engine cleaning! dollar store oven cleaner works, but it will take the paint off. that is what i use when I pull an engine and want to clean up the engine compartment. Shawn __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

04-24-2008, 07:54 PM	#19
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	Re: Engine cleaning! I always use easy off. Spray it on, let it sit for 15 - 20 minutes then hose it off with a pressure washer. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

04-24-2008, 08:35 PM	#20
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: Engine cleaning! I used oven cleaner on my last 2 motors. I gave it a heavy coating and took a spray bottle with hot water/simple green and a toothbrush and started spraying the engine at close range while giving it a scrub. I went back and gave it a good wipedown and laid some paint on it. __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads Last edited by BowTieOgre; 04-24-2008 at 08:36 PM.

04-25-2008, 08:22 AM	#21
rickf Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lake Oswego, OR Posts: 318	Re: Engine cleaning! Most oven cleaners use caustic soda, aka lye, aka sodium hydroxide. Same stuff as most drain cleaners. So you'd be washing the engine essentially with diluted Drano. That's not really problem for iron, but it is a big problem for skin and aluminum. Sodium hydroxide reacts with aluminum and one of the by-products is hydrogen. Odds are you won't produce enough hydrogen to blow up the garage, but the stuff is going to etch your once shiny aluminum. Best to stick with degreasers that are just about degreasing, eg. Gunk or the purple jug stuff, and stay away from the chemicals meant to reduce almost everything to sludge.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.