Carbon Scum

[Thunderlugs]

Other than all the "usual" ways to clean that hardened scummy, grainy, coating, on the inside of a nice set of RB tin valve covers, I am looking for some fresh idea's that can be done successfully at home. The biggest problem, is getting to the invisible areas ... between the filler baffle and the roof of the cover. Most of the open areas clean up with ample wire brushing. I have soaked them in parts cleaner, kerosine, and laquer thinner. Just fishing to see if I might be missing something.
Don't want to acid dip.
Thanks
Thunder

 

[Demonic]

A big round nylon brush - about 3/4" diameter- and Spray Nine. That's what worked for me.

 

[VANDAN]

I don't know if this would work, but what about a Good oven Cleaner, like "Easy Off" ? I use it on my fireplace glass, to remove the baked on soot, and it dissolves that, but I've never tried it on engine parts...

 

[vance.dykes]

marvel mystery oil or trans fluid let soak for 2 or 3 days.

 

[64BEL]

Tom - I used white vinegar to remove rust on the axles from my Belvedere and it really worked well. Might be worth a try? Soak for a day or two.

 

[Thunderlugs]

I don't know if this would work, but what about a Good oven Cleaner, like "Easy Off" ? I use it on my fireplace glass, to remove the baked on soot, and it dissolves that, but I've never tried it on engine parts...

GREAT! You See....this is why I go to the Brain Trust ! I Like It Thanks!

 

[funknut]

I don't know if this would work, but what about a Good oven Cleaner, like "Easy Off" ? I use it on my fireplace glass, to remove the baked on soot, and it dissolves that, but I've never tried it on engine parts...

Easy Off (the original, not the 'fume free') is sodium hydroxide and is an incredible degreaser and I use it for car parts all the time, but should NEVER be used on aluminum! It's the same stuff in the ZEP purple degreaser.

https://www.zep.com/product/zepcommercial/industrial-purple-cleaner-degreaser-concentrate

A soak in that stuff will take off a lot of carbon-based gunk, or at least soften up what's in there. It will at least make it easier to remove with a pipe cleaner or whatever you can sneak in those crevices.

 

[vance.dykes]

I don't know if this would work, but what about a Good oven Cleaner, like "Easy Off" ? I use it on my fireplace glass, to remove the baked on soot, and it dissolves that, but I've never tried it on engine parts...

i would not use something that would acid etched the mettle as when the car runs at temp it could release and hurt the rod /main /cam barrings . j m o

 

[Don Frelier]

i would not use something that would acid etched the mettle as when the car runs at temp it could release and hurt the rod /main /cam barrings . j m o

Oven cleaner is a caustic (high pH) not acid (low pH).
Wash with soap and water afterwards you are good to go.

 

[Tony Tee]

Oven cleaner.

 

[91r/t]

marvel mystery oil or trans fluid let soak for 2 or 3 days.

I used this with a combination of PB blaster too on a stuck 383 in the cylinders once......worked like a charm and broke it free in a couple days. The motor had been stuck for 20 years or so, so the **** must work decent.

 

[Tony Tee]

I used this with a combination of PB blaster too on a stuck 383 in the cylinders once......worked like a charm and broke it free in a couple days. The motor had been stuck for 20 years or so, so the **** must work decent.

 

[Tony Tee]

These pistons were from a 1964 413 and the oven cleaner dissolved the fossilized grease and carbon in areas that couldn't be reached with any kind of brush .