Cleaning a head

[thepowderblue]

I have a cylinder head that I need to clean before I install it.
I was wondering because I am going to need to use alot of cleaner if carb cleaner or brake cleaner will damage the valve seals.

[dj_ender]

I have a cylinder head that I need to clean before I install it.
I was wondering because I am going to need to use alot of cleaner if carb cleaner or brake cleaner will damage the valve seals.

I can't give you a definitive answer, but brake cleaner is VERY caustic, especially to rubber seals. I cleaned my intake by dipping it in a 50/50 solution of hot water and degreaser, it came out pretty clean.

[thepowderblue]

I can't give you a definitive answer, but brake cleaner is VERY caustic, especially to rubber seals. I cleaned my intake by dipping it in a 50/50 solution of hot water and degreaser, it came out pretty clean.

I am not dipping my head in water. would carb cleaner be safer then brake clean?

[IBCNYA]

Actually if you break the head down and remove the seals and valves then you could boil it in a large enough pan over a fire, no seriously break it down and use a couple of cans of Easy off oven cleaner, assuming youre gonna put new valve seals in the head this is the best course of action without costly service. Have it shaved and then have the shop hot tank the head, then you can reassemble it your self. Ive down many clean up jobs with a mixture of easy off, degreaser and gunk engine gel. You could even put the head in your dishwasher.

[GhostAccord]

Strongly advise against the use of easy off oven cleaner on aluminum! It is not the best for aluminum. It will remove more than just the grease and dirt. Easy Off BBQ Grill Cleaner is safe for aluminum. I have never used it but if your going to go that route make sure whatever you buy is safe for aluminum. The BBQ grill cleaner is the only one Easy Off makes that is.

I soaked mine in hot water and simple green. with a little bit of scrubbing it was clean. Make sure you dry everything off quickly and lightly oil the steel parts, your good to go. Use of an air compressor or hair dryer helps with the drying process.

[deevergote]

I am not dipping my head in water. would carb cleaner be safer then brake clean?

What's wrong with dipping it in water?

[IBCNYA]

Strongly advise against the use of easy off oven cleaner on aluminum! It is not the best for aluminum. It will remove more than just the grease and dirt. Easy Off BBQ Grill Cleaner is safe for aluminum. I have never used it but if your going to go that route make sure whatever you buy is safe for aluminum. The BBQ grill cleaner is the only one Easy Off makes that is.

I soaked mine in hot water and simple green. with a little bit of scrubbing it was clean. Make sure you dry everything off quickly and lightly oil the steel parts, your good to go. Use of an air compressor or hair dryer helps with the drying process.

Sodium Hydroxide is the main ingredient, it will discolor some aluminums by turning them gray, but it will clean the crap out of cooked on oil and carbon deposits.

[GhostAccord]

Do you know what that discolouration is? It's oxidation! It is the result of the natural protective layer of aluminum hydroxide on the surface being stripped way by the Sodium Hydroxide. In layman's terms, it is the aluminum rusting. The addition of sodium hydroxide speeds up the process! You can actually watch it oxidize it happens so fast.

The longer you leave the Sodium Hydroxide (Easy Off) on the surface. The deeper it may soak in. This can actually start to oxidize to the point of pitting if water is added.

[hyoslvr]

I thinks ghostaccord's method of cleaning is going to be the best. I haven't personally cleaned a head before but I have used simple green on several parts, including cleaning my engine bay with it. And I can tell you its good shit and is supposed to be very gentle.

[oksleeper]

If you have a Dollar store (Family Dollar, Dollar General, etc..) look for Awesome Clean, it's a yellow degreaser that works amazing and has never oxidized my aluminum

[thepowderblue]

I cant bring myself to use anything waterbased on my cylinder head.
Do any of you guys know of any oil based cleaners that are not to hard on rubber?
I was thinking use wd-40 then carb cleaner then wd40 just on the valve seals and brake clean just on the surface to get everything off for the gasket.

[deevergote]

Petroleum based things will damage rubber.
Water based things will not hurt anything. What's your aversion to using water?

[thepowderblue]

The head is not all aluminum. There is steel that can rust and how about getting the water out of the oil passages?

[deevergote]

Brief contact with water won't rust anything, and you will need to thoroughly dry the head regardless of your method of cleaning anyway,

[GhostAccord]

Have yet to see a valve or spring develop surface rust using hot water and simple green. If you dry it off and oil it. Your chances of seeing surface rust are the same if you were to use a de-greaser, carb, throttle, or brake cleaner. Most of them will completely remove the oil from the steel and require oiling when finished.

If you have an air compressor getting the water out of the oil passages wouldn't be a problem. Even if you don't get it all out, what harm is there? Your engine would see more moisture introduced to the oil driving in the rain than you would see stay inside the passages.