Best way to clean up the block/pistons in the car before putting it back together?

[Dan H.]

Good afternoon Gents,
I will be putting the top end of my motor back together in the next couple weeks. My painting is almost done.

When I scrape all the old gasket material away, whats the best way to clean all the grit and black soot/carbon/whatever it is out of the motor. I've tried to vacuum it out but it still leaves a junk in/on the rings. I feel like I should get all that out of there, but don't know the best way. There is more on the tops of the pistons, should I clean these up as well?

Basically, I need to know how to clean this before I put it back together. Last thing I want to do is do all this work and create a new or bigger problem

Car is an LT-1

Thank you
Dan

[Gene M.]

Re: Best way to clean up the block/pistons in the car before putting it back together

A whizz wheel with scotch brite should get the carbon off the tops of the pistons while at TDC. Works good on heads too. Gasket surfaces too but cover up holes with pistons not at top or move piston to TDC while working in that area. Still shop vacuum and blow off good. Remember the engine in normal operation contends with carbon specks. Valley area should be covered up good.

[John H.]

Re: Best way to clean up the block/pistons in the car before putting it back together

Dan -

If you use Scotchbrite in any form (pads, rolls, whiz-wheels, etc.), make sure you mask off and cover everything except the cylinder you're working on at TDC; the fine abrasive residue from Scotchbrite is incredibly hard, and can damage/score sliding surfaces (like rod/main bearings, cylinder walls, cam lobes, lifters and piston skirts) in a heartbeat.

[Dan H.]

Re: Best way to clean up the block/pistons in the car before putting it back together

Using scotch brite or any other metal wirey cleaner kinda scares me.

[Philip P.]

Re: Best way to clean up the block/pistons in the car before putting it back together

I was going to replace the cam in my car and clean up the engine, going to all the work of removing it I decided to have it rebuilt, may have been extreme but I figure it will be the last time I remove the engine. Just a thought.
Phil

[John F.]

Re: Best way to clean up the block/pistons in the car before putting it back together

I think when all said and done, you should have just pulled the motor. So much easier to work on out of the car. Also easier to clean up the engine bay.

[Dan H.]

Re: Best way to clean up the block/pistons in the car before putting it back together

John,
That's the slippery slope I made a point to avoid. This started with replacing worn valve guides. I didn't want it to become a frame off resto............

Thank you all for your feedback, I haven't been able to check in on this alot since I STILL have family at my house, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

[Philip P.]

Re: Best way to clean up the block/pistons in the car before putting it back together

Isn't the slippery slope part of working on these cars, one thing leads to another...another.
Phil

[Gene M.]

Re: Best way to clean up the block/pistons in the car before putting it back together

Dan,
Replacing guides requires valve seats too. Think about one piece valves and new springs. My machine shop will generally through in free pocket clean up when doing guides and grinding seats. The original valves are welded two piece. With all the reseat work and tip grind on originals it would have better valve position to just put new stainless one piece valves in, they will sit higher in head. Springs are also a cheap insurance.

Just use good quality name brand parts.

[Gene M.]

Re: Best way to clean up the block/pistons in the car before putting it back together

Using scotch brite or any other metal wirey cleaner kinda scares me.

A plastic type is safe.