Best way to clean pistons on a short block?

[5.0calypso93lx]

Got Brandon's car down to the short block over the weekend, and noticed some nice build up on the pistons. What is the best way to clean this off? Is this just normal build up?

http://img2.putfile.com/main/11/31207432243.jpg
http://img2.putfile.com/main/11/31207432214.jpg

[Jeff88coupe]

Yep..normal carbon build up. It will come off with some brake cleaner and a green scrubber pad pretty easy. Most usually will come off with brake cleaner and a rag.

[5.0calypso93lx]

Yep..normal carbon build up. It will come off with some brake cleaner and a green scrubber pad pretty easy. Most usually will come off with brake cleaner and a rag.

Thanks Jeff, just didn't know if I should be scrubbing on pistions.

[cstreu1026]

You may also want to try a product like Gun Scrubber. I know its very effective at removing carbon from guns. Also, when I swapped head son my car I used a little rubber disc with rubber bristles attached to an air power angle grinder. My pistons looked brand new after that and a little brake cleaner.

[Rick93coupe]

put it on an engine stand and turn it on its side so the debris falls to the floor as best as possible. In the future, you can run some sea foam through the engine to clean it from time to time. It really is good stuff, no gimmick.
http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUpTechGas.htm

[5.0calypso93lx]

put it on an engine stand and turn it on its side so the debris falls to the floor as best as possible. In the future, you can run some sea foam through the engine to clean it from time to time. It really is good stuff, no gimmick.
http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUpTechGas.htm

Those pics were taken of it on an engine stand. Thats a good idea though, will do, thanks.

[Mista Bone]

Berrymans Carb Dip, nasty stuff, but it loves carbon :)

Not that hard to push the pistons out of the block, you WILL get junk down by the ringlands, might as well rering it while apart.

Remove the rings, dip the pistons into the stuff......

before

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/bonespec/Honda/D15Baby8/Part%202/top3.jpg

after

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/bonespec/Honda/D15Baby8/Part%204/P5310004.jpg

[5.0calypso93lx]

Don't wanna disassemble the shortblock if we don't have to.

[PaulFiveOh]

Are those stock pistons James?

[mustang8998]

Don't wanna disassemble the shortblock if we don't have to.

If it's already out and on a stand, you would be way better off, to go ahead and do it right.

Hot tank the block, check cylinder bores for size. If they are in tolerance, hone it, put in new cam bearings.

Check the crank journals, if in tolerance, polish it.

Clean-up the pistons, check sizes.

Install new rings, rod and main bearings.

Done! And good as new. I don't think this will break the bank either, as long as you can hone the block and reuse the pistons. If you can't do it this way, what ever work you are doing to it now, will all be in vain anyway.

I'm at the same point on my motor now, except it is still in the car. New cam and good as new heads, on a 142,xxx short block. I think I'll go ahead and pull it out, take my own advise. ;)

[5.0calypso93lx]

Are those stock pistons James?

No, those are D.S.S. forged pistons(not sure on the brand, whatever D.S.S. uses in their shortblocks).

[5.0calypso93lx]

If it's already out and on a stand, you would be way better off, to go ahead and do it right.

Hot tank the block, check cylinder bores for size. If they are in tolerance, hone it, put in new cam bearings.

Check the crank journals, if in tolerance, polish it.

Clean-up the pistons, check sizes.

Install new rings, rod and main bearings.

Done! And good as new. I don't think this will break the bank either, as long as you can hone the block and reuse the pistons. If you can't do it this way, what ever work you are doing to it now, will all be in vain anyway.

I'm at the same point on my motor now, except it is still in the car. New cam and good as new heads, on a 142,xxx short block. I think I'll go ahead and pull it out, take my own advise. ;)

Its not the stock shortblock. Its a newer DSS 306 shortblock that he bought.

[fst 5pto]

Its not the stock shortblock. Its a newer DSS 306 shortblock that he bought.

the shortblock is about 2 years old with about 4xxx miles. I don't wanna do all the work unless its neceassary?

and I will be calling you soon jeff!

[PonymanfiveO]

rotate each piston to TDC and hit it with a wire wheel on a drill, then clean with some brake clean. ;)

[Mista Bone]

which will wash alot of that gunk down into the ring pak and you'll end up with a mosquito fighter.

[mustang8998]

the shortblock is about 2 years old with about 4xxx miles. I don't wanna do all the work unless its neceassary?


Its not the stock shortblock. Its a newer DSS 306 shortblock that he bought.

Well, that makes sense. :bigthumb

In that case, I would clean them as much as you can, with a solvent, such as mentioned earlier. If you need to use a mechanical means, a scotch brite type of wheel is availible that you can use in a drill, or die grinder. Make sure the surfaces are dry and use a shop vac as you go.

[Rustanggt98]

leave it, more compression :lol:

[ATimpe]

Is it me or does the #4 piston look like it is turned wrong? Maybe just an illussion?

[Mista Bone]

illusion, just the burn pattern, #2 looks the same way. Also the flash of the cylinder wall and another "ring effect"

I did the exact same double take.......

[5.0calypso93lx]

Is it me or does the #4 piston look like it is turned wrong? Maybe just an illussion?

LOL, I see what you are saying, but that must be a wierd glare or something that got picked up by the camera.