I want to clean some engine parts...how do I do this

[d0n_3d]

I have a set of stock heads that I took off my car, also the intake manifold, and the valve covers...and they are pretty nasty looking with oil and dirt...can I soak these items in a tub of something and then spray it off with water? what substance is the best as far as getting this gunk off...and is it safe to do it on the heads??? I'm trying to put this motor back together and I want to have things as clean as possible...

 

[Jimn8or]

I found that liquid engine degreaser, an old paint brush, some dollar store 3-packs of steel bristled 'toothbrushes' and a she-it load of elbow grease worked pretty well. I dunno if I'd want my valve seals sitting in a vat of engine degreaser for too long, but other than that...fly at 'er! After you've degreased the intake, get it blasted...even sand blasted if you can't find glass-beading available. It comes out looking so nice afterward! I do have some examples in the link in my sig....having said that, that's a ceramachromed intake.
Good luck!
Jim

 

[zam70]

Powdered tide and a heavy long nylon bristle brush. Make sure you wear old junk clothes cause the **** will fly...disc brake cleaner does a good job too but might not be good to use on the seals.

You could take it down to the local car wash and power wash them first....if you know some one/where that has a high pressure steam cleaner that will work wonders as well (this is what I use and it works perfect).

If you're wondering if the water will hurt anything - No, it won't. Just make sure to get everything/where dry after cleaning.

 

[Silver 6]

I have a large plastic paint bucket with a screw on topper. It is about 1/3 full of kerosene. That has cleaned an amazing number of nasty parts and keeps on going. The parts air dry with a slightly oily surface which is just right to keep things from instantly rusting.

If I need to paint something after cleaning, a quick degreaser does the job easily.

The best degreaser I have ever used:

http://www.cli-rightstuff.com/600.htm

Their DeRuster is also excellent.

 

[tystick22]

Use some easy-off oven cleaner. I just did mine and left the cleaner on over night. Then the next day I scrubed them with a brush and washed them off with water.

 

[UNGN]

I just buy those big plastic tubs with lids from walmart for $5, fill them full of degreaser and let stuff soak.

Probably no home remedy will get things as clean as a machine shop hot tank, however, so if you are going to have a valve job done on the heads, just let them do it.