cleaning piston tops

[smallv6]

I am in process of changing the heads. The pistons have a fair amount of carbon buildup and I was wondering, what's the best method to clean them.

Thanks

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

i use a green flapper wheel, i think 3M makes em

 

[smallv6]

Thank you

 

[Intercooler]

Easiest way is to buy a can of GM Top Engine Cleaner and fill a bowl (not plastic) to a level over the carbon line and plop the pistons in doing one at a time. After an hour or two soaking each one you can wipe them totally clean with a rag. Super easy and no work involved.






BTW- Those 3M and Scotchbrite pads in brown and green contain silicon carbide abrasive. I wouldn't chance having any traces of it left behind TO SCORE YOUR CYLINDER WALLS! Now if you could find the white version it doesn't have abrasives but the time you spend working them with that you could have been done using the above method.

 

[smallv6]

I guess I should have specified that the pistons are still in the block.
Is there a safe method to cleaning them while they are still in there?

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

JESSE-

i think his pistons are still attached and not on the bench-

good point about the abrasives, but i havent had bad luck yet.

i wonder if any traces would be burnt off once started???

 

[Intercooler]

Holy S For sure don't use the wheel if they are IN the block. Soak a rag and lay it on top of the piston to be cleaned. It will work the same but you may have to use more cleaner to keep the rag damp. Make sure the motor doesn't have oil in it or the drain plug in so any drippings just come out. Wow, a little of that stuff in your rings and you are done. It will give you the next oversize

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

well damn jesse you got me scared now

your probably right, but after using these green wheels for a few years they dont break down unless you use alot of force-

mine look like nylon green wheels with lots of tits sticking out... kinda like astroturf

well if not broke, hit it with a hammer, it it breaks, it needed to be replaced anyway

 

[waell]

I just did this, here's what I did. I used carb cleaner to loosen up the diposits. then used a spoon to scrape around the dish in the pistons. It fits right in and won't scratch the piston like a screwdriver or scraper will. Just take the time and have a shop vac handy to clean up the flakes.

 

[Scott231]

Fire up the motor and introduce some water injection!

 

[jastrckl]

I think gnttype has a writeup for the procedure to use top engine cleaner when the motor is together. you can actually run it through the motor. you disconnect the uppipe and turn it up, and slowly pour half the bottle through while trying to keep the motor running (good luck, heh). When you're done with that just dump the rest of the junk in. (which will kill the motor hands down). Then just try starting the beast again for a while until it goes. Will produce insane ammounts of white smoke.