Making diamonds with my N

Well...Not quite but before I worry about paint (see post below), I took the oil pan off and was suprised how much carbon build-up there was. Too bad my compression wasn't up to snuff that would have been the finally ingredient right? carbon, heat and pressure.. :0)Grin. Seriously though How in the world do I clean this stuff off? I've heard of acid dipping it, but won't that damage bearing journals, valve seats and stuff? Thanks...Tim

Whatcha see is the result of longtime engine operation with NON-detergent oil and NO thermost. Modern detergent oil suspends naturally occouring black stuff in the oil so the filter can do its job. The engine needs to opperate at a high-enuff thermostatically controled temperature to make certain that the combustion by-products are kept in suppension so the oilfilter can do its job. Otherwize the by-products settle out against cold surfaces.

Ya start scrapin' and the big chunks will fall-off later and clog yer oilpump. Iff'n ya wants the block cleaned (and you will) for yer engine rebuild job, engine machine shops have a chemical vat that they use to desolve and float away all the crud. It's NOT ACID, its alkaline. You doubt? Go visit an engine rebuild shop and ask for a tour, lettem know you're interested in their services.

And NO, it doesn't harm enny of your bearings 'cuz you've removed them to gitt the crank out and are going to replace them ennyways after you have your crankshaft cleaned and miked to determine condition and size of both the main bearing and rod bearing journals. And NO, there are NO camshaft bearings in the N-Block to worry about. And yes, dip yer bare crankshaft too. Your machine shop should charge about $25 for all this service..... ..respectfully, Dell

Link

To eliminate chemical disposal problems, some engine rebuilders have a specially-designed oven, that heats the engine parts up until the crud is burned off of them, sorta like SWMBO's self-cleaning oven.

http://www.pyradia.com/heat.html

Of course, the armorers didn't like that, but, sometimes we could get by with it...

HTH
Steve

If you don't want to buy it, try soaking a heavy rag with a Coca Cola. Then lay the rag over the area you want to clean. Coke works very well as a mild acid bath. Yes it will draw ants but it does break down other substances quite well. You may have to leave the rag on overnight for the thick stuff.

• CLP - Poke Here

Don't want to try it. Use an old chisel. I'm fine with that iffn you got the time & patience. :^)

- Happy scrapen.

HTH
Steve
(SGT USMC '86-'96)