C2 How to Clean CI Intake Manifold?

[Ralph E.]

I would like to know the best method to clean a Cast Iron intake manifold before installation back onto the engine. Media blasting?, Chemicals? Coke Cola washing? Any others??? Please advise.

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 How to Clean CI Intake Manifold?

Glass beading is great for any cast iron part prior to painting...just make sure you flush out any beads that get into the intake runners prior to installation....Craig

[John H.]

Re: C2 How to Clean CI Intake Manifold?

And remove the sheet metal heat shield on the bottom before you have it blasted; the shield will trap blasting media if it's left attached.

[Ralph E.]

Re: C2 How to Clean CI Intake Manifold?

Is "ShotPeening" an acceptable cleaning method?

[Roger Legge]

Re: C2 How to Clean CI Intake Manifold?

I would think shot peening would alter the surface texture. I have had some cylinder heads cleaned by a process called something like 'bake and blast'. The parts are heated to a high temperature to cook the grease, paint and crud, then cooled to some point and put in a cabinet and blasted with a heated solvent. They came out looking very close to new castings.

Roger

[John H.]

Re: C2 How to Clean CI Intake Manifold?

Ralph -

"Shot-Peening" is done with steel balls - I wouldn't recommend that; bead-blasting should clean it right up.

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 How to Clean CI Intake Manifold?

John - thx for mentioning that, I always do it, but forgot to say in my post. That would really ruin your day getting all that glass in a newly assembled engine. I also thoroughly flush the runners and heat crossover with hot water afterwords, and quickly blow dry or it turns rust red fast....Craig

[Clem Z.]

Re: C2 How to Clean CI Intake Manifold?

hot soapy water will break down the static electricty caused by the bead blasting. a word of warning never lean against a bead blaster cabinet with your private parts,even thru your pants, you can get one hell of a shock,been there done that. a caustic hot tank will also do a good job on cast iron.

[Craig S.]

Re: C2 How to Clean CI Intake Manifold?

Clem - you should try it here in Arizona with our 5% humidity! I make a point of holding my part against the grate to ground it, AND, I gounded my cabinet (it's a steel Skat Blast unit) to an electrical ground to carry off the charge. It made the process better, but, if I hold the object I am cleaning off the grate in my hand, I get constant shocks to my body if too close, or, to my arms from around the glove holes. I think it is worse since I am running a larger production gun with a 29 CFM air feed...Craig

[Roy Braatz]

Re: C2 How to Clean CI Intake Manifold?

Take it a parts house and have it HOT tanked like they do to all engine parts they rebuild like heads.