T10 rebuild - When is it clean enough

[Donald H.]

I am ready to finish the rebuild of my T10-1B, but I am having trouble getting the aluminum tail case/housing really clean. I have tried:

Simple Green
Spray on commercial A/C coil cleaner (some type of aluminum brightener)
Aluminator - a buffered phosphroic acid based aluminum brightener
Hooked up my gas powered pressure washer to my home hot water heater (turned all the way to hot) and blasted the case after using Simple Green and after treating with the aluminum brightener.
Also used my dremel with a abrasive wheel to lightly clean the surface.

The second picture attached shows a close up of the side of the case where you can still see blotches in the aluminum.

My question is, If I eventually want to have my 1960 restoration judged, how clean does this piece of aluminum need to be?

Thanks,

Don Harris

[John F.]

Re: T10 rebuild - When is it clean enough

No pictures attached.

[Donald H.]

Re: T10 rebuild - When is it clean enough

Just attached.

Thanks,

[Donald H.]

Re: T10 rebuild - When is it clean enough

Oh, also used red scotch brite pads to scrub with the simple green and aluminum brightener.

[Bruce B.]

Re: T10 rebuild - When is it clean enough

The transmission cases were used as cast with the mating surfaces machined. Your pictures look fine.
Don't rub it to make it shine, Scotch brite will alter the surface finish.

[Donald H.]

Re: T10 rebuild - When is it clean enough

The transmission cases were used as cast with the mating surfaces machined. Your pictures look fine.
Don't rub it to make it shine, Scotch brite will alter the surface finish.

My bellhousing (photo below) cleaned up very good with just some strong cleaners. It looks great to me (my first corvette and first restoration) but the transmission case just didn't clean up as well.

Was there a different process in casting the bellhousing?

I'm trying to make sure I don't give up any judging points because I didn't take the time or use the right approach in the restoration.

[Donald H.]

Re: T10 rebuild - When is it clean enough

I am ready to button up the transmission. Should I use any sealer on the side cover gasket?

The Chevy Shop Manual says to use sealer around the one bolt that goes all the way through the case, but nothing about using sealer on the side cover paper gasket.

Thanks,

[William C.]

Re: T10 rebuild - When is it clean enough

Follow the shop manual instructions.

[Matt L.]

Re: T10 rebuild - When is it clean enough

i had my bell housing and intake parts ball burnished where they place the parts in a large tumbler and every square millimeter is cleaned and very lightly polished depending on how long the part was run in the machine. they came out beautiful!

[Domenic T.]

Re: T10 rebuild - When is it clean enough

Donald,
Bar none, the best way I found to get that new look is glass bead and a thin coat of satin clear to protect the aluminum.
When aluminum corrodes it turns dark and many use a wire brush that actually does more harm.
I tried the brightener and soaps and was not pleased.
A few minutes and your done. I find that the glass bead works better than soda blast and walnut shells.
If you are looking for that aged look with traces of corrosion then I thing soda blast works. I like the new look.

DOM