How to clean an engine case

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Trafficjamz
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How to clean an engine case

Post by Trafficjamz »

Since I got such praise on my very clean af16e, I decided to show how I got the Case as clean as I did.

This time I will demonstrate on a dirty NQ50 (spree case)

Here is the engine case that needs serious cleaning
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And here it is after a good scrubbing in the parts washer tank.
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Normally This is where I would stop. Good ol' elbow grease variety or brushes, and time, is all it takes to get to this level of clean.

However, If a bottom end rebuild is in order, Then I take it to the next level.
The sand blast cabinet is used only when all the berings and gaskets can be removed from the case.
The engine that I just cleaned in the wash tank is NOT getting a bottom end rebuild.
But my friend, Spreetard, Has a NQ50 bottom end with the crank removed, and sand blasted already. Here Is a pic.Image
Last edited by Trafficjamz on Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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bigluelok
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Re: How to clean an engine case

Post by bigluelok »

besides the parts washer tank what did you use to clean the case?
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Re: How to clean an engine case

Post by Trafficjamz »

The Sand blasting kinda leaves a dull kinda dirty look to it.
It sorta looks like a step backwards, but trust me It deep cleans the Aluminum case very well
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The next step Is to polish the new clean case with a high speed wire brush
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Re: How to clean an engine case

Post by Spreetard »

bigluelok wrote:besides the parts washer tank what did you use to clean the case?
Trafficjamz wrote:Good ol' elbow grease variety of brushes, and time, is all it takes to get to this level of clean.
There's no substitute for hard work.
Scrub-a-dub-dub. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Thanks for cleaning my engine up the rest of the way, t-jamz. Looks nice. :thumbsup:
To return the favor, I won't tell your wife how much money you've spent on your engine :mrgreen:
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Re: How to clean an engine case

Post by dem0nk1d »

Are you bead blasting any of the gasket area's or bearing race areas? I don't think I would want to damage any of the gasket bonding surfaces. I have two engines on the way in the mail. As soon as they get here I'll start my Spree Af16e and Elite Dio Emulation Build. I'm going to invest a lot of money into my engines, and a clean and properly built engine is where it's at.

I'm going to show how to clean a engine with out a solvent tank, and other tips...
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Re: How to clean an engine case

Post by Clivester »

One of my favorite methods is to use a Dremel and 3M abrasive pads (I find the brown works best). I cut the pad onto 1 inch circles and mount 2-3 together between 2 small washers on an arbor with the screw on the end as used for cutting discs. You can buy pads that are specially made to mount on rubber supports, but they don't have enough flexibility to get into the nooks and crannies. The home made wheels clean and polish up the aluminum alloy nicely. It takes about 8-12 circles to do a scooter engine because they wear down quickly. That's why I cut my own - much more economical.

If you do the final polish with Nu Finish car polish the engine doesn't oxidize right away and stays cleaner longer.

Good technique for those who don't have compressed air to use a high speed wire brush, etc.

Make sure you wear safety specs if you use them though!
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Re: How to clean an engine case

Post by Trafficjamz »

Gasket surfaces are ok to blast ,but bearings all have to be removed.
New gaskets will be needed, becase nothing will be left of the old material.

Car wax is a good idea....but don't use it if you are planning to powdercoat or paint.

Safety specs (or eye shields as we like to call them) is a must when working with high speed wire wheels.
Last x-mas, I went to th E.R. to get a piece of metal out of my eye!(not fun)

Dremels work awsome for detail and polsih work.

I could have gotten THIS NQ50(spree) case alot cleaner, but it is not mine.
SPREETARD needs to get off his * and finish it. :thumbwink:
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Re: How to clean an engine case

Post by dem0nk1d »

where you located? i might be interested in get some engines blasted for my builds.
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Trafficjamz
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Re: How to clean an engine case

Post by Trafficjamz »

dem0nk1d wrote:where you located? i might be interested in get some engines blasted for my builds.

Michigan 49626
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