Removing Carbon from engine head

Dave R · #1 01-10-2011, 08:34 AM

I have always in the past used a plastic scraper to take carbon off the head and around the valves on an engine head, etc. Plus using a soft bristled brass brush obtainable from the auto parts store.

My question, is a brass bristle brush a "no-no". I don't want to cause any damage to the top of the piston or valves, etc.,

Dave in SW Missouri

TEET · #2 01-10-2011, 08:47 AM

Dave,

Ive had excellent luck using a brass bristled brush around the valves and head area. The cast block itself is much harder than most aluminum parts, like heads, or pistons so scraping it is safe. I have used a razor scraper around the top of the block, and have had no issues or worries of damage. Just be careful scraping around aluminum parts like the piston, and keep a nice low angle. I have a snap-on gasket scraper thats like a long handled very thin chisel with a wide blade that works wonders for removing the really tough build up of carbon that a brass brush wont remove.

Jeff (teet)

cdlong · #3 01-10-2011, 11:51 AM

Dremel tool, brass brushes and MMO.

ol'George · #4 01-10-2011, 02:08 PM

All are good methods suggested in previous posts, just don't use a scotch brite pad on gasket surfaces as they tend to remove material.
I once had a set of SBC heads a fellow "cleaned up" with scotch brite pads.
What a mess, I had to mill them .018 just to square them up.

weaverama · #5 01-11-2011, 10:00 AM

Don't forget your Easy-Off Oven Cleaner; it works like a champ. Just watch those fumes.

Roanoker494 · #6 01-11-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weaverama

Don't forget your Easy-Off Oven Cleaner; it works like a champ. Just watch those fumes.

Don't use easy-off on aluminum parts, fine on cast iron through. Easy-off is a very strong acid that will start corroding aluminum in seconds, once the corrosion process starts it is almost impossible to stop. Don't believe me? Take a can of Easy-off and spray the fancy aluminum wheels on your neighbors car. You can wash it off as quickly as you like, but it will still be to late to save the wheels. Warning: May cause your neighbor to give you multiple injuries.

Edit:
The manual says to use a plastic or wooden scraper. Mineral spirits is cheap, aluminum safe and will clean the head up very nicely.

_DX3_ · #7 01-11-2011, 03:31 PM

[QUOTE=Roanoker494;54001] Take a can of Easy-off and spray the fancy aluminum wheels on your neighbors car. You can wash it off as quickly as you like, but it will still be to late to save the wheels. Warning: May cause your neighbor to give you multiple injuries.

Thanks for the heads up on that. Might come in handy next time I hear that neighbors loud car stereo at midnight again. :biggrin2.gif: "Just Kidding"!! sorta. LOL