Case cleaning
 

Hi all , i,m starting my engine rebuild on my 2.7 1976 and cleaning the case, i,ve done the outside and the inside,but what can i use to clean the parts where the crank sits, is it ok to use some fine scotch brite and brake cleaner or should i use something else. Also i can,t find any kimwipes over here, what,s the best next thing that i could get in the uk. cheers Rik....

Don't use any kind of Scotchbrite on the case!!

Pull the oil galley plugs and take it somewhere where they do soda blast cleaning. Follow that with an hour in a parts washer and you're almost done.

Scrub out the oil galleys with long bristle brushes using solvent, followed by very hot water & soap. Blow dry and replace the oil galley plugs.

Voila',...now you are ready to begin the assembly process. :)

Thanks Steve, i,ll give that a try, many thanks Rik..

Hey Steve, How does one properly remove the galley plugs? Drill & slide hammer? Can you guys supply the galley plugs? The Sunset Porsche parts dept guy couldn't find them on his system...

Curt

The machine shop I use make there own galley plugs. Anyone know of a source for these? Soda blasting the case sounds like a good idea, should one stay away from the sealing and bearing surface? Can the case be cleaned after blasting without removing the plugs?

Carlson's in Calif. got mine. They're listed under a 964 # at US dealers but in Germany 911#s. Order all of them they're cheap.

I pulled all the plugs from my case by drilling, tapping, and then using a
bolt + oversize socket to wind the plugs out.

I tried a slide hammer but that just tended to pull the newly tapped threads
out. Maybe I was doing it wrong.

Soda is not soluble in oil and the blasting process will leave some somewhere
in your oil galley. You must, no MUST, pull all the plugs and clean the galleys
if you soda blast your case.

Why wouldn't you pull the plugs and clean the galleys anyway? Once you've
torn the engine down it's hardly a stretch to clean it properly.

andy

Would dry ice blasting be an alternative? I'm not sure how aggressive it is on aluminum, but there are no particles left behind.

Thanks Andy- I'll give the drill/tap/turn method a try. They guys that did the rest of my case work said they could tap and replace all of my plugs for a measly $55, so there's not even a question about how I'll proceed :) That same shop had washed my cases (and they look mighty clean) but I'll sleep better knowing that I've left nowhere for grunge to hide...

Curt

Steve, I used Scotchbrite on my case. Did I screw it up?

Anybody??

I am thinking, and certainly do not want to speak for Mr. Weiner, that the use of scotchbrite is disfavored due to the fact that as it disintegrates with use the fibrous pieces can get in the nooks, crannies, oil galleys etc., and lead to massive engine failure...

Thanks JP, I was thinking that it would scratch the surfaces.

That would be my thought. I would say if you haven't already pulled your oil galley plugs then you're going to need to and wash and rinse everything out real good....
jmho

dm

Yessir,..thats correct. Tiny bits of abrasive sluff off while using such products and are VERY difficult to completely remove.

Thats why we invested serious money in a big soda blaster (and compressor) to clean all these kinds of parts in a non-invasive manner that leaves no artifacts.

Thanks for the response Steve.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-engine-rebuilding-forum/351023-aluminum-901-05-engine-case-tumble-polished-perfection-defined.html?highlight=clean+case
Hard to beat this one. :eek:

I have a question about the oil galley plugs. I was reading another thread a few days ago where there was some debate over the topic and Wayne weighed in not supporting it. Can the engine be effectively cleaned without removing the galleys? I have no idea, just asking the question. Thanks.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-engine-rebuilding-forum/177786-engine-rebuild-leaky-case-already.html

Well, I did the same, used some scotch brite. The case looks clean after washing in the parts washer with oileater, flushing with water, blowing with compressed air.

http://airboxer.com/garage/P1060664.jpg

I will try to get new plugs. Once I have them, I will remove the old one. I plan to use my wifes steam cleaner to blow all holes.

That should get all little stuff out incl. any scotch brite left over.

You guys are talking aluminum cases. What about Mg cases? Would the soda react badly with the Mg? Seems everything else does.