420A engine rebuild question. piston cleaning?

[Tribal_RS_96]

Hey guys. Im rebuilding a newer 420a engine that i got. Im planning on tearing it down to hone the block and all. I have a question about cleaning the pistons, can i sandblast them and clean them off or would it just be best to sit them in carb cleaner? Im getting new piston rings and i want to clean off the pistons while i have a chance, what do you guys think i should do?

 

[gentleben02]

I would not recommend sandblasting, it will take too much material off the pistons. I would try carb cleaner/ use a parts washer.

 

[knochgoon24]

Use some Seafoam. It worked wonders on the carbon on my pistons.

Permex gasket remover also works really well. It's essentially paint stripper in an aerosol can.

 

[ILL122]

brake parts cleaner works too. Just dont use anything abrassive to clean them with. Maybe scotchbrite pads??? Anyone want to comment on that?

 

[BogusSVO]

Never use a SAND Blaster on pistons, to aggressive.
Now if you have a GLASS Bead cabinet, that is ok, just do not bead on the wrist pins, and make sure to rise off in a parts washer to remove all grit.

 

[92_talonGsXt]

Carb cleaner and some micro fiber cloths and they should be clean

 

[gsxxer]

Use some Seafoam. It worked wonders on the carbon on my pistons.

+1. Seafoam rocks.

 

[Tribal_RS_96]

+1. Seafoam rocks.

+2! Seafoam really does rock! Ill post some pictures and progress later

 

[bryanwheat]

Get a can of chem-dip from oreilly and soak them in there. They will look new afterwards and you won't have to inhale all the fumes from the brake clean or carb cleaner. Also you can abrasive blast the pistons, you just want to use cork or walnut shell. The thing that sucks about blasting them is that you have to remove the piston from the rod, and that is kind of a pain to do without damaging the piston. For everything else in the engine just clean it with purple power and a power washer. IT will take ALL of the oil and grease off the engine.