How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

[John D.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

Try some phospheric acid watered down big time. Mix in a little bit of Dawn liquid detergent also. Actually any bran of liquid detergent will do as it acts like a lubricant when you are scrubbing the sand cast intake with scotch brite pads.
Aluminum wheel cleaner is too strong. But you can use it providing you dilute it with lots of water. I don't have a formula as haven't done it this way in an eon.

Twin Etch from NAPA is a good product. Expensive stuff so it is. But basically it's phospheric acid also.
Ever see FI units or aluminum parts that are dark gray looking. This is either from age or they are chemically burnt from too strong or incorrect chemicals.

Tons of aluminum cleaners on the market. Why waste good bucks on them when you can make your own cocktail as described above.
Take a gallon of water and mix a nice shot glass of phospheric acid with it. Wear goggles and rubber clothes. Lots of ventilation.

Years ago Hot Rod magazine had a tip about cleaning aluminum. They said to use toilet bowl cleaner and water. I remember trying it and also remembered I really messed up a fuel injection baseplate. It turned gray in seconds.

Look in the Eastwood catalog. JD

[Claus S.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

I am going to clan the intake on my car as well and i was told to use Valvoline brake cleaner
I have not tried it yet but i have a new box of brake cleaner in the gararge

[Paul J.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

Hey, that looks good Don. I'm wondering if it has appeared again after been gone for awhile. The E-Bay link shows the Loctite version as a new item, and another version (for half the cost) as made by "Duro". Never heard of that. -Dan-

Dan, if you mean you've never heard of "Duro", they've been around for over 40 years. They made the original Super Glue. Thier automotive products include a rust encapsulator that works extremely well.

Paul

[George W.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

Dr George is not an MD.

Dr. George is a PhD retired university professor/trainer and I use the nail polish remover very lightly and then repeat the process as needed. You should try it;
it will clean the fuel stains and grease off the al2 intake...is that not what we are trying to fix? It will, also, take the paint off the engine stamp pad to better show VIN numbers and broach marks; use a Q-tip, rub the paint lightly in a small area, wipe clean with rag or towel and repeat as need. I feel certan others have used acetone to clean. Have fun.

[Dan D.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

Yea Paul. I've seen Duro products before. Just didn't ring a bell when I saw it.

I thought the original super glue was Eastman 910?

-Dan-

[Terry M.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

Dr. George is a PhD retired university professor/trainer and I use the nail polish remover very lightly and then repeat the process as needed. You should try it;
it will clean the fuel stains and grease off the al2 intake...is that not what we are trying to fix? It will, also, take the paint off the engine stamp pad to better show VIN numbers and broach marks; use a Q-tip, rub the paint lightly in a small area, wipe clean with rag or towel and repeat as need. I feel certan others have used acetone to clean. Have fun.

I don't know about car guys, but my wife and daughter use it all the time. I will look on the bottle (I would bet it is about a 1/2-quart) and see if there are any cautions about skin absorbing, but it doesn't make much sense to sell it for nail polish remover if you are not supposed to get it on your skin.

[Robert K.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

Naval Jelly is phosphoric acid, also. Just in a jelly format.

[Ron G.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

After numerous trials and errors over many years, my suggestion is to use a media blast combination of glass and plastic. When ever I restore aluminum intakes this is the method I use with great success. We have an excellent shop here in CT that does my work.

- Ron

[Paul J.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

I thought the original super glue was Eastman 910?

-Dan-

I believe that you are correct. Kodak held the original patent in the 50's, and licensed it to Locktite (Duro). Duro sells it under the name "Super Glue", although it appears that Kodak also used that name. I don't remember seeing that, just Eastman 910. The chemicals were formulated in the early 40's. Both Loctite and Duro are owned by Henkel.

Paul

[Paul J.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

Nobody's mentioned that Coke and other soft drinks contain phosphoric acid. I wonder if that would work.

[Bob P.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

I have a '66 L79. I was aware that the area between the intake and the valve covers, essentially the edge of the head where the manifold gasket is, was painted silver. I thought it was painted engine orange. I did wonder however if the manifold gasket was painted or not? That also leads me to a question about the timing mark tab on the timing chain cover. Is it painted or left natural. Couldn't find anything in the judging manual on this?

[Bob P.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

I found some of this at a local hardware store yesterday and plan on trying it tonight!

[John H.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

I have a '66 L79. I was aware that the area between the intake and the valve covers, essentially the edge of the head where the manifold gasket is, was painted silver. I thought it was painted engine orange. I did wonder however if the manifold gasket was painted or not? That also leads me to a question about the timing mark tab on the timing chain cover. Is it painted or left natural. Couldn't find anything in the judging manual on this?

Robert -

Whatever portion of the intake side gasket is visible would exhibit silver (dull aluminum) paint, and the timing tab was painted orange along with the timing cover and harmonic damper.

[Bob P.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

Sorry, My mistake I have a Big Block L72 and the judging manual says that the intake manifold isn't painted at all. So, I guess I'm still wondering what color should the area between the intake manifold and the valve cover, essentially the edge of the head be painted?

[Joe R.]

Re: How do You Clean an Aluminum Intake Manifold

Bob,

Do you have the latest version of the JG? I don't have it in front of me, but I think it says that the head / intake edge should be silver or dull aluminum or something like that.

Joe