vw case/block cleaning?

[modok]

Brass or stainless Wire brush GOOD, in fact it probably prevents future oxidation better VS soda blast.
The only way I'd bead or shot blast a case is just do the exterior, with all openings closed off, and all boltholes plugged.

WET blasting is a awesome, but it's a lot of work.
The easiest path is just don't get it all ugly in the first place, by keeping the case nice and oily, and away from water.

[67rustavenger]

[modok]

You see what I'm saying tho, right?
The main cause of engine cases being ugly is people cleaning them
Viscous cycle

[esde]

to follow up on my power washer recommendation, because I didn't stress the importance of getting everything dry and oiled:
Yes, leaving the case full of water is a death sentence. I blow out the passages with compressed air, and then sit the case somewhere hot to dry out. That could be in front of a shop heater, or put the case halves together and point a heat gun down the crank bore. Then spray the whole thing down with whatever half full can of light oil is handy. As Modok pointed out, a slimy case rarely has oxidation problems.
Of course s hot jet wash machine works best, or better yet, hiring someone else to do it..
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modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that.

[b-man]

Anyone here ever use Gibbs Brand Penetrant to help preserve the magnesium engine case finish? I bought a case of it not long ago and would like to use it to preserve the look of a 36hp engine I recently stripped the tin off of and degreased.

http://www.gibbsbrandlubricant.com/

I’ve seen it used on vintage Halibrand magnesium wheels with great results, but of course they’re not subjected to as much heat as an engine case.

http://www.roadsters.com/gibbs/
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1956 Dove Blue Panel
1966 Velvet Green Single Cab
1957 L41 Black Oval Window Beetle

[rodeking]

Gibbs has a strong following by the Porsche crowd on their engine and trans cases, both mag and aly and it does a great job but it does have to be reapplied periodically. Here it is on a mag case but the guy spent countless hours getting it cleaned up before applying the Gibbs.

[Bruce Amacker]

^^^
I think if anyone made a spray-on cleaner that did that to a case, we'd all know about it by now.
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'66 Deluxe Bus
'65 Standard Bus
Build threads:
'66- http://www.leakoil.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2888&sid=54d8dedfb3822f99c7f2ea430cb4e856
'65- http://leakoil.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=4263

[diablosandwich]

I have a NOS engine case that had the white magnesium oxidation all over it. Sprayed Gibbs liberally on it and all oxidation went away. Does a nice job. Casey
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1966 Java Greens

[modok]

Gibbs oil does seem to penetrate even better than most, however it also seems to displace....other oil, so, I try to keep it away from bearings and machine tools.

[nsracing]

After i hot jetwash and dried, the parts will get a thin coat of engine paint -flat black and it stays on to protect the part.

Even after subsequent hot jetwash the flat black engine paint stays on there pretty good. That is what I call protection.

A HOT jetwash w/ mild soap water designed for non-ferrous is the best. The parts are squeaky clean after a rinse w/ fresh water. And EPA-friendly too.

All those cans of cleaners are very harsh on the environment. Imagine over the years how much contaminants will go into the ground and drinking water.

WE can all enjoy our hobby without destroying the environment.

Take it to the machine shop and get it cleaned properly already.

[Chickensoup]

Hi, quick question for you guys.

If you had to soak your vw case in something to help remove the sludge and crap, what would it be? Solvent based? Oil based?

Thank you
Have a blessed day!
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-'85 c10 5.3 LS, 222 cam, long tubes, x pipe, 3 inch spin tech's
-'05 B5.5 TDI Wagon 17in sport rims ;EGR + BSM + ASV Delete, Stage-2 Tune, straight pipe
'65 Tourist Delivery Build
'66 RIP
'69 RIP
Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"

[Pruneman99]

I left a case in some commercial type cleaner for a few days. Forgot about it. Case wound up in the trash. Pitted ALL TO HELL.

If I was going to soak a case in anything, it would be diesel fuel or maybe even gasoline.

Then I would dispose of the contaminated fluid exactly according to EPA and local guidelines..

[nsracing]

WE used gasoline + diesel mix in the military for washing parts. More diesel than gasoline though. Not sure the exact mixture.

It is probably the same fluid used in most tub parts washers. Hey, they have a lot of those cheap around. Maybe just get one. Disposal is gonna be a bitch though. I had one earlier in the hobby, but it smelled the whole garage and I did not like the fire hazard.

That is why I bought me several nice Better Engineering Hot Jetwashers. It uses non-ferrous soap and water. After the cycle, just rinse w/ fresh water. Very clean.

[Zundfolge1432]

Yes parts washers what to do? If you have little or no money I’d use about three heavy trash bags to line a cardboard box. Along with a stiff bristle brush and simple green or the citrus cleaner. BTDT

Don’t waste your time with harbor freight or equivalent light duty crap instead buy a used commercial grade washer. They are out there, ask the route salesman that services the shops, safety kleen, crystal kleen etc. they know. You can also lease although it’s cheaper to own. As for the smell the safety kleen man showed me an additive the makes cleaner smell like bubble gum or grape or something less offensive.

I bought an older Zep brand commercial washer 20 years ago and have replaced the pump one time. Again avoid the toy cleaners. When I needed a pump safety kleen gave me one for free. Some of the better tool stores or chemical supplies houses sell pre mixed cleaner in 5 gallon buckets or you can buy mineral spirits

Avoid big box stores for cleaner their prices are insane, find chemical supply house in your area . Example a gallon of mineral spirits at Lowe’s is over 25 dollars I can buy 5 gallons for 40 dollars at tool store.

My old Zep cleaner came from a local dodge dealer when they upgraded to closed loop cleaners. Some jurisdictions have banned the open tank cleaners which means you can get a good deal on quality unit. Use this to your advantage

Good luck

[jbbugs]

https://www.h7chemical.com/
This stuff works wonders. Especially on the inside of the case when you have that burned oil residue. The second you spray it on you can watch it start working. It kinda boils, and starts moving around. Give it about 30 minutes or so and you just hose it off. Works great on heads as well.
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Drag bus! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MOVmKdhX4

69 OG paint Transporter
73' Super Beetle Champcar Endurance Roadracer
Patina my ass, that's a Rust Bucket!

[Chickensoup]

[Chickensoup]

[jbbugs]

[johnnyvw164]

The one advantage of a lease with safety clean is you don't have to worry about disposal of the contaminated fluids...that's what youre mostly paying for. We have one in our shop at work, and only have the fluid changed out every 6 months. It''s cheaper than paying for disposal of something we bought ourselves.

[Zundfolge1432]

Back when I leased a cleaner from safety clean the route man tried to get me interested in a small table top cleaner. The were letting people try these for free 3 month trial. There are advantages to getting on their program