Cleaning engine

JDman21 · Post by **JDman21** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 9:53 pm

I have an engine torn apart and want to clean the inside of the crankcase and everything. What is the best thing to use? Also how can I clean up the outside of the engine like the outside of the cylinders? How can I make it shiny again?

Thanks

flames4555 · Post by **flames4555** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:18 pm

I use a combination of methods on the outside of the motor, depending on the degree of sludge .
I start with a Gunk type engine cleaner and a good scrub brush to get all of the heavy stuff off. Next I take a scotch brite pad and some WD-40 and give the block a good scrub down. After all of the above is completely cleaned off I use a buffing pad on a cordless drill and a good metal polish ,such as Mothers or Blue Majic. Any of the rough area 's are done by hand . It all takes a while ,and a lot of rubbing ,but is pretty rewarding when finished .
Here a picture of the 440 I just finished for my cyclone.

harleysportster · Post by **harleysportster** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:26 pm

flames4555,
the engine looks great. I would suggest spraying a clear lacuer over the polished aluminum, otherwise it will corrode later.

flames4555 · Post by **flames4555** » Thu Jan 19, 2006 11:34 pm

thanks for the advice Harley ,

I do automotive detailing during the summer on the side and in the winter I
re-polish my sleds to keep in practice

. You are correct a polish job can be short lived ,but with the lack of snow recently and the warm temperatures I have been doing a lot of polishing .

Kevin

flames4555 · Post by **flames4555** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 9:56 am

Thanks for the heads up I will turn the hose as you mentioned above . When I started the resoration the sled didn't have the air box or the tube and I was just following the pictures in the John Deere service and illustrated parts books I have . I'm a definately going to ride it and i'm almost ready to take it off the table just need one ingredient....SNOW.....

Is there a publication where all of the service bullitens for my cyclone are
located , I would be interested in making sure my sled if up to date and set up properly.

I also want to thank you all of all of your insight. This is my first deere resortation and this site has been a great resource . I can 't wait to finish this one so i can start looking for a Liqifire of the same vintage .

thanks again,
Kevin

Post by **Matt** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:31 am

Kevin, how many toothbrushes did you go through on that one???

Most of the really nice engine restorations I've seen at shows came from being bead-blasted. I haven't tried it yet but I'm planning to.

JDXsand00s · Post by **JDXsand00s** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 11:01 am

all of my engine have been sandblasted, crankcase, jugs, heads, and fan shroud. then i spray the crankcase with carb clean to get excess sand out of the holes and i hone the jugs and carb clean them. they look awesome when done and it probably is a lot easier than the manual method previously stated if you have access to a blasted.

flames4555 · Post by **flames4555** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 11:05 am

When through a couple a couple of tooth brushes , lots of rags and most of all elbow greese . The key to the shine is the buffing pad and a cordless drill with blue majic polish. The picture makes it look a real good , but I wouldn't call is show quality. Though my wife says if I keep polishing and painting thing I'll be afraid to ride it when I'm done . My hope is to have it complete before the show next month in New Hampshire.
I 'm sure the bead blasting would speed up the process and give a much better final product , I hope to do the same on a sled in the future. When I go to this extent if will seriously consider clear coating to keep the corrision from comming back as Harley suggested above .

Kevin

Post by **Matt** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:54 pm

Kevin, I'm looking forward to seeing it in NH...