1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Cylinder Head Cleaning

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Don X, May 1, 2008.

  1. May 1, 2008
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2007
    Messages:
    3,383
    I'm cleaning up my cylinder head and got the worst of the grime off using Gunk Spray Cleaner, a scraper and rags but have 2 questions.

    1. Is there an economical cleaner solution I can soak it in? I don't have a parts cleaner but have a flat plastic tub similar to what a busboy would use that's the right size.

    2. What should I use to do the final cleaning/finishing on the surface of the head?

    Thanks
     
    Don X, May 1, 2008
    #1
  2. May 1, 2008
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
    Messages:
    3,294
    don't know about soaking it, but I would think brake cleaner would work well for final cleanup. Don have you put a straight edge on the surface of the head to determine whether it needs to be surfaced?
    Jim S.
     
    bkd, May 1, 2008
    #2
  3. May 1, 2008
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,525
    x2
    what Jim said
     
    jpflat2a, May 1, 2008
    #3
  4. May 1, 2008
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2007
    Messages:
    3,383
    Yeah, I'm going to check it out thoroughly before putting it back in. Is it okay to use anything heavier than emery cloth on the head surface?
     
    Don X, May 1, 2008
    #4
  5. May 1, 2008
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    I use a white 3M bristle disc on my angle die grinder...
     
    Patrick, May 1, 2008
    #5
  6. May 1, 2008
    gasman

    gasman Member

    mariposa calif...
    Joined:
    May 13, 2007
    Messages:
    61
    I,ve used a piece of 2x4 and sandpaper it works great.Brake cleaner is ok or use kerosene .
     
    gasman, May 1, 2008
    #6
  7. May 1, 2008
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    Simple Green and a stiff brush will amaze you. :)
     
    w3srl, May 1, 2008
    #7
  8. May 2, 2008
    evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    Leesburg, VA
    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2006
    Messages:
    408
    if you have access to buying a bucket of Varsol, that would be ideal. that's what we use to clean heads at work. i believe $40 will get you 5 gallons at Tractor Supply... be careful it's pretty toxic stuff, but works like a champ.
     
    evanjm, May 2, 2008
    #8
  9. May 2, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Hot tank? Your local machine shop will likely dip it for a few bucks.

    Oh, this is California ... maybe not! :)

    Hot tanks traditionally contain lye (Sodium Hydroxide) and you could probably duplicate that with drain cleaner. I might try it, but I would not advise anyone else to - so I'm not advising that... just saying.
     
    timgr, May 2, 2008
    #9
  10. May 2, 2008
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2007
    Messages:
    3,383
    Tim,

    Do you really think your disclaimer will stop a law suit if something goes awry? I'll see you in court. R) R)
     
    Don X, May 2, 2008
    #10
  11. May 2, 2008
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2007
    Messages:
    1,486
    The jury would simply look at the avatars: defendant has Jeep emblem tastefully displayed on a t-shirt, and is obviously a learned fellow, what with a white lab coat and all. And the plaintiff...well, who is going to believe someone with green boots?

    Napa used to sell carb cleaner by the gallon. The good commonwealth of PA saw fit to outlaw sale of degreaser by the gallon, though. So who knows if you can still get it that way.
     
    Chilly, May 2, 2008
    #11
  12. May 2, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Ha! R) I'm not too terribly worried... it's probably illegal to sell powdered drain cleaner in California anyway.

    Hypothetically speaking, if someone were to use the popular granular drain cleaning product with a name ending in a long O, I'd expect the solution would get really hot for a while. The granules are all or mostly all NaOH (lye), but there are slivers of some bright metal (aluminum? probably) mixed in. These react exothermically with the NaOH to make heat, helping to dissolve any greasy plug in the drain (I presume). For a hot tank, you're mainly interested in the lye, which attacks the baked-on brown crud (grease) by a process called saponification (soap making). You could also use spray-on oven cleaner - same stuff, in a spray can. Wear gloves, sacrificial clothing, and eye protection though, and be ready with the hose if you have a spill.
     
    timgr, May 2, 2008
    #12
  13. May 2, 2008
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
    Messages:
    3,294


    just use your wifes kitchen apron Don....and take plenty of pics R)
     
    bkd, May 2, 2008
    #13
  14. May 2, 2008
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2007
    Messages:
    3,383
    who says the apron is hers???? oops, never mind :oops:
     
    Don X, May 2, 2008
    #14
  15. May 2, 2008
    66CJ52008

    66CJ52008 gone fishin

    Marietta,Ga
    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2008
    Messages:
    25
    hey to all
    here at work we use a cleaner called purple power ,it is used to clean cast iron grates in our boilers, i use it for cleaning vw engines, cleans it real well , also coil cleaner will work just dont get it on ya
     
    66CJ52008, May 2, 2008
    #15
New Posts