Cleaning engine parts for display

[Flyingpony]

Been granted rare permission to have engine parts on display inside the house

As expected all parts are dirty (were removed last week) and need to be cleaned up. It is the how to clean them that’s got me seeking advice.

All parts are identical and are the housing body where the piston operates within (don’t know what it’s called). They've got a chrome bore and alloy body casing and the alloy section has got coolant channels. These coolant channels are partly blocked with iron metal rust growth tentacles. There are also some oil traces here there plus the bore has got black combustion soot deposits. I'm not worried about the scratch damage on the bore from when the engine obviously expired from its youthfulness.

These parts are also too big to fit inside a plastic bucket, so I'll have to do some serious improvising if they need to be soaked. They would fit inside the metal wash house sink

What cost effective and easy method can get these cleaned up nicely?

After they've been cleaned, I'm thinking about either to get them lightly sand-blasted or polished (ideal). Which direction do you think would be best?
With polishing, all I need is a drill bit to do both the chrome bore and exterior of the alloy casing?

Thanks

[**R1**]

VERY hot soapy water should do it...

[FzerozeroT]

dishwasher, but make sure you clean them afterwards with some palmolive etc, dishwashing powder is pretty caustic

[Flyingpony]

Partially clean one part ... they definitely don't cut the skin ... it's more like a cheese grater approach ... I'll leave the rest till after the skin has regrown ... putting hands in hot hot water is very very painful with patches of missing skin.

[Flyingpony]

Have partially cleaned the other two parts but not satisfied with the results. DIY at home doesn't have good enough results using tooth brush and an assortment of common house hold cleaners / washing powders. At least this time the skin on my hands didn't suffer much damage.

The problem areas I've got are:

• Attachment point of exhaust stains on alloy block
• Combustion stains on chrome bore
• Baked on engine/radiator sealant glue
• Coolant channels
• Alloy rust
• Baked on grease/oil on alloy
• Light rust
• Probably some other misc stuff not readily visible

Basically, if you've stripped down a used motor you'll know what I'm looking at.

Is there another chemical I could use which will clean them up? (Ideally this is friendly on the metals and definitely friendly on the stainless steel washing room tube I'm using)

Would Soda blasting clean them up? I'm sure sandblasting can do the job.

How does the price of soda blasting compare to sand blasting?

How can I polish up the chrome bore at home so it's nice and shiny? Have a drill, a garage, and those dangerous sexy blue overalls.

Thank you!

[MikeyG]

I rebuilt an engine over christmas in Chch. To clean it I used a couple of cans of spray-on degreaser (about $7 each from Warehouse or Supercheap). I sprayed all parts with this, threw them on a trailer and took them down to the Quickwash place just off Moorhouse Ave. The middle bay has a warm-water water-blaster.

The water blaster has enough pressure to remove skin so a pair of long handle pliers to hold stuff with is a necessity

[Kickaha]

You could also trot off to your local engine reconditioner and ask him to stick them in his "hot tank" (or "cold tank") depending on what it is you are trying to clean

PM me if you want and I can put you on to someone

[The Pastor]

If your going to clean alot of parts you can buy a parts washer. Never used one as we have a sink.....


EDIT: PUT SOME DAMN ELBOW GREASE INTO IT YOU SLACKER!!!

[Macktheknife]

You could also trot off to your local engine reconditioner and ask him to stick them in his "hot tank" (or "cold tank") depending on what it is you are trying to clean

PM me if you want and I can put you on to someone

Throw some beer at your local engine recon guy and use the part washer and bath for good results, polish can be done with autosol and a 'mop' head on the drill, takes time tho.

[boostin]

as others have said, local engine reco place would be best. Find out who the 'bike enthusiast' is there, and approach him with your story, and he should sort you out. Tell him you sweep up the floor, or supply some beer on Friday...or whatever.