Cleaning aluminum intake

[Timothy N.]

What would be the best products to clean an aluminum intake manifold ? I used Flitz aluminum cleaner in the clutch fan and it worked pretty good... Strong stuff !! Would this be the correct call on the intake too ? I've seen some really nice intakes out there and wondering how to get that look on mine. Thanks Tim

[Edward B.]

Re: Cleaning aluminum intake

Tim, I sent both my 68 Camaro L89 and 69 Corvette L36 intakes to Jerry MacNeish (CAMARO HIGH PERFORMANCE). He has a special process where he "reskins" aluminum. They both turned out looking factory fresh and the price wasn't really that out of line.

Ed

[Bob W.]

Re: Cleaning aluminum intake

ED What was the cost to have this done and how long did it take ?

[Timothy N.]

Re: Cleaning aluminum intake

Thanks Ed. I looked up High Performance Camaro and they list "re-skinning" . I'll call Monday and post the information for Bob and others. Sounds like it's the way to really get the manifold to look new. Thanks Tim

[Bob W.]

Re: Cleaning aluminum intake

Tim thanks will be waiting for your reply Bob

[Edward B.]

Re: Cleaning aluminum intake

Bob, I don't remember the exact price (it was a couple of years ago), but Jerry's a friend of mine so he gave me a deal. He had both intakes a few weeks, but that included shipping times from the west coast to the east and back again.

Ed

[Kenneth F.]

Re: Cleaning aluminum intake

Bob, I have a 340 H.P. intake that was really dirty. I tried a Motorcraft foaming carb cleaner, and applied it with a scratch pad, rubbing gently. The pad was the least aggressive I could find. I worked at it for a few hours in a ventilated area. The results were good.

Ken

[Floyd B.]

Re: Cleaning aluminum intake

I got good results by first putting the manifold in the dishwasher (please don't tell the wife) to remove all oil and grease that might interfere with the naval jelly. I then used a low pressure power washer - one of those little cheap 1500 PSI units you can get at the big box home improvement store. I was afraid that a high-pressure unit (3000 PSI) would inflict the same damage as an abrasive. I then applied naval jelly according to the instructions on the jar making sure to remove it after five minutes. To remove the naval jelly I again used the little power washer.

I made sure that no abrasives were used. I have been told that abrasives, no matter how mild, will remove the razor thin patina that was created by the mold and molten aluminum and can only be recreated by melting and re-pouring.

[Timothy N.]

Re: Cleaning aluminum intake

Thanks all. I called camaro high performance. $120 and 2 to 3 weeks. They tumble the manifold that gives it the new look. Tim

[Stephen B.]

Re: Cleaning aluminum intake

Try soaking in EvapoRust. Even though it's for rust removal, it does a good job of removing grime, etc.

[Andy C.]

Re: Cleaning aluminum intake

I have had many aluminum parts refinished over the years. here is what i do for SAND CAST parts such as an intake manifold. Remove the Bottom baffle pan and have it cleaned and cad plated for protection. Chemically clean/ hot tank the manifold. Remove all the studs and have them cad plated. Remove the 2 nipples and cad plate them or replace if needed? Using a fine Glass bead, glass bead the entire manifold. You can get glass bead that will clean and polish at the same time. If you want to go all the way, send it out to be tumbled and you are done!

[Gary S.]

Re: Cleaning aluminum intake

McNeish did my 67 350 hp intake Nov 2011 for $120. Just awesome...not only outside, but inside too. He removed the heat shield, replaced it and recorded the casting date for me too as part of the work.

IntakeReskinnedTop2.jpgIntakeReskinnedEnd2.jpgIntakeReskinnedBottom.jpg


IntakeReskinnedInside.jpgIntakeBottomRestored.JPG