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| | | | Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 33 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 33 | I am ready to re-install my 216 cylinder head. There is a fair bit of carbon on top of the pistons- perhaps 1/2mm thick in the centres of the pistons. I've tried scrubbing with carb cleaner and a stiff nylon brush, it doesn't do much.
My question is: Can I use any sort of WIRE brush to scrub the piston tops (at TDC) or will that ruin the pistons?
Do they even need to be cleaned at all? | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,836 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,836 | One tablespoon of carbon buildup on top of a piston will raise the compression about half a ratio, but it won't be consistent from one cylinder to another. The carbon deposits can also glow red hot and promote pre-ignition and detonation on a hard pull. Take an air die grinder or even a high-speed electric drill motor and a fine-bristle wire brush and buff off as much carbon as you can. Just be sure to blow the residue away with lots of compressed air after you finish cleaning.
Jerry
Last edited by Hotrod Lincoln; 02/13/2010 4:29 AM.
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| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,962 | I guess everyone has their own way of doing things. If I only pull a head, I leave the carbon alone. It will form again any way. Right before I put the head on, I clean each hole with a shop vac. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | I do exactly what crenwelge does. | | |
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