How did you get the engine pad so clean?

[Patrick N.]

Following the thread on engine pads, I am impressed how readable they are and clean. My pad is un-touched for fear of doing some damage when trying to clean it up.

Is there any secret to cleaning the pad without damaging any fine detail?

Thanks
Pat
68 427/400

[Dennis S.]

Re: How did you get the engine pad so clean?

Pat
This is the way mine came back from the engine builder. I strictly informed him not to deck the block. He obviously cleaned the pad lightly when he cleaned the block. How he did it, I don't know. I really wish he had not touched the pad at all...because there probably is some degradation. After painting the rest of the block, I sprayed CRC SP-400 corrosion inhibitor on my pad. It is no longer bright and shiny, kinda yellowish and obscured, but it sure won't rust anymore. It can be removed with any solvent. I don't plan on having my car judged, so I am just trying to preserve it for the next caretaker...many years from now.

Unless you are going for judging or trying to sell the car, why not just try to preserve what you have?

Dennis
69 427/390

[Mike M.]

Re: How did you get the engine pad so clean?

Yes, Dennis. You have touched on the issue for Patrick.
Before building my blocks and before the pressure tests, magnafluxing and so on, they are cleaned by boiling in a tank, usually over a weekend.
They come out clean and neat, just like your pic.
HaND

[Patrick N.]

Re: How did you get the engine pad so clean?

Does anyone clean them post rebuild or are they typically cleaned the way you described Mike, during the rebuild?

To the point Dennis made earlier about preserving what I have, that's what I would like to do, but it has some heavy patina and dirt buildup that obscures some of the pad (numbers are still readable). For the simple lack of knowing how far I should go with cleaning, and fear of inadvertently doing any unintended damage, I simply gave strict orders during the rebuild to leave it as-is and I have resisted any temptation to clean it myself.

I could try Simple Green to remove some of the buildup that has encrusted without removing the aged patina altogether.

Thanks Again,
Pat

[Mike M.]

Re: How did you get the engine pad so clean?

Right Patrick.
Nothing caustic or abrasive. You don't want to do anything to disturb the "Patina", that is hopefully, any semblance of "Broach Marks.
Simple Green is a fairly mild cleaner. It will not cut rust, it is a de-greaser, so, the pad would be prone to rusting without immediate protection.
Then, I would just coat it and leave it.
Hope this helps.
HaND

[Patrick N.]

Re: How did you get the engine pad so clean?

Thanks-that's what i will do then.

pat

[James H.]

Re: How did you get the engine pad so clean?

My engine was rebuilt with pad preserved.. but they put about 4 coats of orange paint on it. What should I use to strip the pad area?
thanks, Jim

[Tim S.]

Re: How did you get the engine pad so clean?

You could apply paint stripper with a q-tip. Let sit, and then remove carefully with a plastic razor blade.

[Stephen R.]

Re: How did you get the engine pad so clean?

I watch "Antiques Roadshow" and many, many times they say the the previous owner (of a certain item) significantly reduced the value of said item by trying to or actually cleaning it up. I kinda look at these cars the same way. Unless you have a specific goal in mind ie showing it as it left the showroom, I much prefer a car that is used, driven, kept up, and not a composite of Zip, Mid America, Corvette Central etc. Chinese parts. Let's face it, if you have the money, you can build a car from the parts catalogs, why buy one? Just my 2 cents.