Cleaning Head After Machine Shop

[aspekt9]

Is it safe practice to clean the head thoroughly like you would a block after you have the machine shop hot tank and install the seals, valves and springs? Do they clean it after they cut the seats and do a 3 angle job? Should I run water through the oil and coolant passages and clean the surface, or not worry about it?

 

[KazooGS-T]

Every time I've picked up a head and/or block from my machine shop, it was ready to go... No additional cleaning was needed, with everything being sealed in plastic to keep moisture from getting in/on the parts.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

I wouldn't run water through it but I would thoroughly flush it with brake cleaner. Make sure you flush out all the oil passages real good.

 

[nuclearr]

If you have to clean it you did not take it to a very good machine shop. However its not a bad Idea to run some cleaner through the oil passages.

 

[synthetek]

They probably applied assembly lube to the valves & stuff so you dont want to wash that off

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

They probably applied assembly lube to the valves & stuff so you dont want to wash that off

Good point, I hadn't thought about that. When I cleaned my head it was disassembled.

 

[nuclearr]

They probably applied assembly lube to the valves & stuff so you dont want to wash that off

True. I only take in bare heads. So cleaning would not be as big of a deal. Also break cleaner on valve seals is bad. I remove my cams I am too cheap to pay them to do it. If you have them install the cams do not clean it.

 

[tjbiker031]

When i had my head rebuilt, they hot tanked and cleaned it up good for free if i had them rebuild the head. It all depends what the shop does, just gotta ask what they offer for what you are having done.

Oh and any half way decent machinist shop will make sure there are no shaving if they cut into the head.

 

[hereitcomes]

I hate to revive a thread, but I have a similar question that searching didn't find just what I was looking for.

I have a rebuilt head, that I just want to clean up. Mainly the outside I want to brighten up, but the lifters and rollers are out. There is a bunch of crud on the inside. Should I just continue to take apart the head and clean the whole thing? I do not want to damage anything. Thanks a lot guys. Sorry for sounding like a rookie - I just have never disassembled a head. I wouldn't want to mess anything up.

Thanks to all! Take it easy!

 

[Rabbi]

if you have to clean your parts after the machine shop then you better find yourself a new machine shop because your current shop isnt doing a very good job.

 

[hereitcomes]

It wasn't a fresh rebuild - I should have specified. It was on a car and has about 10K miles on it. The one on my car now is junk and I blow and go through oil like a mad man.

Im just wondering on which route to take. I looked over my Haynes manual again and Ill just take it apart. I want to save myself any trouble in the future when the head will be on.

 

[Tanro]

Actually you should definently clean stuff once it comes back from a machine shop. If they hot tanked it I guarantee they did not final wash it, you need to do that by hand to get all the dirt from the hot tank dip off it. You may not see it but its there, just run a damp towel over it.

 

[SynHaven]

sorry to thread jack but i have a question about head cleaning. but dont laugh ya'll .. i have a head here and it has a bit of build up. i was wandering if a could remove the cams ONLY, and soak the head in soapy water, rinse it, re-lube and reinstall with out any ill' effects... thanks

 

[RamenPride]

sorry to thread jack but i have a question about head cleaning. but dont laugh ya'll .. i have a head here and it has a bit of build up. i was wandering if a could remove the cams ONLY, and soak the head in soapy water, rinse it, re-lube and reinstall with out any ill' effects... thanks

The valve guides, seats, and cam cap dowels will rust if you don't dry the head after washing it

 

[SynHaven]

so if i managed to dry it quickly... would it be ok???

 

[white92talontsi]

When you get the assembled head back from the machine shop the only thing that you should need to do is use air to blow out all the shavings from when they re-surface the head. Blow through all the water jackets real good. Might be surprised at what you get out of it.

 

[SynHaven]

no no, its not coming from a shop, its coming off another car, so its still dirty