How-To Engine Cleaning

Author: Josh Brown  Date Posted:1 October 2017 

A good engine is a healthy, reliable and clean engine.

The most commonly overlooked part of engine building, is nearly ALWAYS the most important.

Most people are probably thinking “but I do regular oil changes”…this is NOT what I’m talking about!

I’m actually talking about a complete rebuild. A fresh engine with new bearings and ground journals… no old oil welsh plugs left in the engine for nasties to hide behind.

Or a new hone job…without sludge left clinging to the walls when it is assembled.

It is good practice to start a build with clean parts. It is just as important to have a clean area to assemble. When cleaning an engine block I like to use a degreaser first, followed by a quick gurnie.

Finish it off with warm and soapy water and a soft scrubbing brush.

Wash the cylinders down, followed by the whole block. Take care this time to gurnie all oil holes and lines.
            
After doing this, I grab my bottle of WD40 and my air line, blow drying the cylinders one at a time, and spraying the WD40 to disperse the water and stop the bores rusting.

Now dry the rest of the block, wipe all the bores dry with a clean cloth, and respray with WD40.

The bulk of the other parts I like to clean with petrol, before putting it in my kero bath. Once they’re clean I use my air-line to blow them dry.

It really is essential to have a clean assembly area before you start washing parts or blocks. I’ve never understood those who put clean parts on a dirty bench…surely that defeats the purpose?


Leave a comment

Comments have to be approved before showing up