Cleaning piston tops

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wikd69
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Cleaning piston tops

#1 Post by wikd69 » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:02 pm

I need to clean the tops of my pistons, without pulling the rings.

I can set them in a tray and soak them but I'm curious to find out what everybody else uses to clean carbon from pistons like this ?
1969 ProStreet Camaro RS Best 9.75@139 1.46 60'
Blown 427 BBC, TH400 w/Brake, Back-Half Ladderbar
Narrowed 12-Bolt, 4.10 Gears, Spool, Moser 33 Spline

http://www.marsh-racing.com/harrys_camaro-1.htm

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supernova
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Re: Cleaning piston tops

#2 Post by supernova » Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:49 pm

Sure, just re-oil the ringsbefore installing.
Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

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wikd69
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Re: Cleaning piston tops

#3 Post by wikd69 » Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:21 pm

supernova wrote:Sure, just re-oil the ringsbefore installing.
No, the question was what you use to cut the carbon/etc. on the tops of the pistons...
1969 ProStreet Camaro RS Best 9.75@139 1.46 60'
Blown 427 BBC, TH400 w/Brake, Back-Half Ladderbar
Narrowed 12-Bolt, 4.10 Gears, Spool, Moser 33 Spline

http://www.marsh-racing.com/harrys_camaro-1.htm

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BracketNova
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Re: Cleaning piston tops

#4 Post by BracketNova » Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:55 pm

Brake clean and a nylon bristle brush. maybe start with a wire brush if it's real bad. That's what I do.
"I always compare drag racing to lighting $100 bills on fire, only it's more expensive." - Craig W.

Check out my website...
http://www.findmoneyraces.com


'71 Nova E85
6.69 @ 100.2 MPH 9/6/14
1.4257 60'
1700' DA

13:1 439 BBC
3330 lbs

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mbaker3
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Location: Lakeland, Fl

Re: Cleaning piston tops

#5 Post by mbaker3 » Sat Feb 26, 2011 6:05 am

Seafoam works well also. I put a can of it in a clean tupperware bowl and let a piston soak for a while. Then you can use a brush to clean it off. :-)
32 Bantam Altered
SBC, 8-71 Blower, Injected, Alcohol

I intend to live forever... so far... so good

HPDRIFTER
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Location: High Plains

Re: Cleaning piston tops

#6 Post by HPDRIFTER » Sun Feb 27, 2011 11:01 am

I remember, as a kid, we used to use the edge of an old piston ring to cut the carbon off the top of flat top pistons.
But the seafoam and soft brush sounds better for new, expensive dome pistons.

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mbaker3
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Re: Cleaning piston tops

#7 Post by mbaker3 » Sun Feb 27, 2011 6:57 pm

Yeah, you really have to be careful about putting scratches in the piston. Can make spots for carbon to collect.
32 Bantam Altered
SBC, 8-71 Blower, Injected, Alcohol

I intend to live forever... so far... so good

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Bruce69Camaro
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Re: Cleaning piston tops

#8 Post by Bruce69Camaro » Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:38 am

I thought I heard once about soaking them in tranny fluid or was it Easy Off oven cleaner?

The heck with it Harry, just go out and buy all new ones and they'll be all nice and clean... :smt005

Bruce
Those who think they know it all have no way of finding out they don't......... :scratch:

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mbaker3
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Re: Cleaning piston tops

#9 Post by mbaker3 » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:47 pm

Buying new pistons always works. The problem is that now you have shiny pistons and a rusty wallet from lack of money in it! :-)
32 Bantam Altered
SBC, 8-71 Blower, Injected, Alcohol

I intend to live forever... so far... so good

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supernova
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Re: Cleaning piston tops

#10 Post by supernova » Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:09 pm

How about this for clean...... :thumb:
Attachments
Polished and not polished....
Polished and not polished....
Blackhoodmafia!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

1972 Nova SS
572 C.I. BBC

Best to date: 1/8
et: 5.28
mph: 134
new wt. 3340 lbs

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wikd69
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Re: Cleaning piston tops

#11 Post by wikd69 » Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:05 pm

supernova wrote:How about this for clean...... :thumb:
Very nice :)
1969 ProStreet Camaro RS Best 9.75@139 1.46 60'
Blown 427 BBC, TH400 w/Brake, Back-Half Ladderbar
Narrowed 12-Bolt, 4.10 Gears, Spool, Moser 33 Spline

http://www.marsh-racing.com/harrys_camaro-1.htm

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Wildchild
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Location: Florida

Re: Cleaning piston tops

#12 Post by Wildchild » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:06 am

You can soak them in an old bucket of carb cleaner.That will disolve the carbon deposits.Make sure you take the rods of first though.You don't want that stuff between the wrist pin and the piston.. :D

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