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William Crowell Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2011 Posts: 70 Location: Placerville, CA
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 11:36 am Post subject: How to clean crankcase, transmission case and brake drums? |
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I've got my engine and transmission out of my car, and have already cleaned all the grease of of them with solvent, but am left with a brown film that I haven't been able to remove. The brown film is even thicker on the brake drums. Do you guys recognize what I'm talking about? Is it dirt, or what? And how can I remove it?
I tried oven cleaner on the brake drums, but it didn't seem to do very much.
I don't want to disassemble the engine or transmission, so I wouldn't want to media blast them. I might sandblast the drums, though. Whatsay?
Thanks. |
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Unobtanium-inc Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2007 Posts: 345 Location: Upstate NY
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 1:26 pm Post subject: |
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Wire brush and mineral spirits, wear thick gloves and glasses. |
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fcampbell356 Samba Member
Joined: December 15, 2007 Posts: 217 Location: Pensacola, Florida
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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Use lot's of elbow grease, rub hard. |
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Unobtanium-inc Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2007 Posts: 345 Location: Upstate NY
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:38 am Post subject: |
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Frank knows, he has probably cleaned a few more than me. |
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Pat KG Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2012 Posts: 180 Location: VA
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:04 am Post subject: |
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Carb cleaner works. _________________ Pat Daily
74 Ghia Cabriolet (bought it in 74 new)
63 356 B Coupe
2005 BMW 325i
2008 BMW 328 convertible
2007 Dodge Ram Hemi
2005 Honda Odyssey |
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William Crowell Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2011 Posts: 70 Location: Placerville, CA
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:51 am Post subject: |
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Thanks again, guys. I think I'll try carb cleaner and a brass wire brush. |
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dawerks Samba Member
Joined: September 15, 2010 Posts: 2349
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Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 8:55 am Post subject: |
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I use 'concrete etch cleaner' mixed with water. The stuff is AWESOME! It obliterates grease (and rust to a degree). Plus it's cheap.
But you have to be careful with it, it's pretty powerful stuff. _________________ "There is only one sin; disconnection from self." |
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gordon maltby Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2010 Posts: 5 Location: Minnesota
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Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 12:10 pm Post subject: cleaning aluminum |
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William, I think you'd be amazed at how effective soda blasting is on that type of job. It will remove almost any stain and have little or no effect on the surface. Residue is washed off with water. You can buy a soda blast attachment for your bead blaster from Scat (TP Tools) or have it done by a shop. I would not mess with nasty chemicals before I try it.
Gordon |
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bbspdstr Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2012 Posts: 494 Location: PA
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Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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Be very careful with the chemistry, as aluminum or cast light metals can turn a dark gray if the wrong 2 come together.
The safest is the soda blasting, as Gordon recommends. If rinsed well, it doesn't clog any openings, including carb bodies. It's environmentally friendly, too.
Other than that, I have used paint stripper, especially on brake drums. Let it do the work and occasionally keep it wet and agitated gently, then rinse. An old trick is then steel wool and WD40, easiest with no studs, massaged into the metal for a nice sheen, not shine. Wipe off and they are preserved and looking natural.
One thing to remember is to not open pores of a casting with too aggressive an approach. You want to keep the 'look' of a new cast or forged part, not rough or stained or corroded, as an 'opened' surface will allow.
Another idea is to use an automotive machine shop that has a parts 'dishwasher' that uses hot high-pressure water and detergent to clean major parts. A nominal charge and let THAT do the work. Basically, "all of the above" can work, but what is best for the least (work or money) is determined by the owner. Be careful. _________________ Bruce Baker
www.356restoration.com |
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bbspdstr Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2012 Posts: 494 Location: PA
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Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:56 am Post subject: Re: How to clean crankcase, transmission case and brake drum |
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William Crowell wrote: |
............I don't want to disassemble the engine or transmission, so I wouldn't want to media blast them. I might sandblast the drums, though. Whatsay?Thanks. |
William, I reread your original thread and have another idea for assembled or "fully dressed" units. IF the inlets to any internal passages are sealed and the carbs covered with plastic baggies and tape and the trans vent is, too.....you can use a strong detergent and a pressure washer. Much of the old chemistry we used to use is now unavailable or weakened, but an auto supply store may recommend what's best to spray and/or brush on prior to pressure-washing.
If there were no painted parts in the line of fire, I'd recommend a gun full of the cheapest lacquer thinner. Fast and easy....I do it all the time.
If it wasn't clear before, I recommend NO sandblasting or glassbeading, etc. around anything involved with oil and bearings. _________________ Bruce Baker
www.356restoration.com |
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overrestored Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2005 Posts: 726
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:31 am Post subject: |
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After soda blasting them... for a nice factory looking finish on the outer faces of the brake drums... use oooo steel wool soaked in a lot of WD40 spray. This creates an almost perfect surface character. _________________ some cars
some bicycles
some old skateboards
One cool crazy cat
a yard full of fruit trees
26 chairs for some reason
a crapload of old shoes
a lot of books on history of the Mexican Ranchos
200+ kamax bolts... stacked in rows |
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TK6A5 Samba Member
Joined: September 09, 2010 Posts: 28
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:42 am Post subject: |
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overrestored wrote: |
After soda blasting them... for a nice factory looking finish on the outer faces of the brake drums... use oooo steel wool soaked in a lot of WD40 spray. This creates an almost perfect surface character. |
+1 I have used this technique also and it makes them look real nice without making them to shiny. If you look at period pictures you will notice that the drums aside from the machined surfaces were actually quite dull |
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