Cleaner to clean '73 MFI throttle bodies and air horns

[Quickstep192]

I'm looking to clean age old carbon and crud from a set of '73 vintage throttle bodies and air horns. The throttle bodies are magnesium and only appear to have one plastic part which I have removed. The air horns are entirely plastic. The insides of the throttle bodies seem to have some heavy carbon deposits which have had decades to harden and adhere. What's the best solvent to go after this stuff with? I tried naphtha and it seemed to remove the general crud, but I'm down to stuff now that the naphtha doesn't seem to touch. 'Lil help please?

[47silver]

I tried every type of liquid cleaner beerman's, loctite, ultrasonic, Nothing has worked on the throttle plates. Maybe soda blasting would work?

[cpa]

Are the throttle bodies off the car and disassembled?

[fred cook]

Try spray paint stripper followed quickly by a water bath. I use this method for cleaning really dirty carburetor bodies that are heavily crudded up. A stiff bristle tooth brush will also help. Don't forget to wear gloves and eye protection.

[The cap'n]

The factory manual shows Berryman's B-12 Chemtool being used to clear the TB adjustment screw ports with the engine in the car. We used it at the P-car school, and at the dealership where I worked. It may not work with the accumulation you have, but it did a pretty good job back in the day. For cleaning and preserving the mag surfaces, nothing beats "Gibbs Brand, which, when applied in liberal amounts over time, makes the mag look really nice. Hot rod and vintage racecar restorers use it for that. It's also a SERIOUS penetrant, better than Kroil.

The Cap'n

[Quickstep192]

Yes, they're out of the car with the air horns separated from the throttle bodies and disassembled, except for the butterflies which are still attached. Looks like the screws that hold the butterflies on are staked.

[6771911esses]

Ultrasonic tank is the way to go.

[47silver]

I have an ultrasonic, cleaned them ok but the throttle plates are still not spotless. I am going to try soda blasting

[kach22i]

I use Seafoam to clean up old spark plugs, maybe that will help.

[cpa]

If you have time soak them in a bucket of Pine-Sol. Work wonders, won't damage anything and rinses off with out any toxic waste.

[ClickClickBoom]

Get a gallon of Berrymans carb dip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRiZOTTel34

[Quickstep192]

Do you think that either the PineSol or Carb Cleaner would soften or dissolve the plastic air horns?

[0396]

Originally Posted by Quickstep192

Do you think that either the PineSol or Carb Cleaner would soften or dissolve the plastic air horns?

I would not use the carb cleaner on the air horns. Ask me how I know-

[The cap'n]

Carb cleaner will melt most, if not all, plastics. This includes both the dips and the sprays. I have melted screwdriver handles to prove it.

The Cap'n

[cpa]

DO NOT USE CARBURATOR CLEANER OR OTHER "Induction Cleaners" on anything plastic or phenolic. Soak the Throttle Bodies in undiluted Pine Sol and after a couple of days you can use an aerosol throttle body cleaner on the butterfly's with a tooth brush or other small bristle brush if needed. My only concern is after you have them clean will they need to have bushings for the throttle plates replaced? There are a few people out there that can rebush and set them up properly. That's a whole new thread.

[The cap'n]

Carb cleaner will melt most, if not all, plastics. This includes both the dips and the sprays. I have melted screwdriver handles to prove it.

The Cap'n

[JJ 911SC]

Best cleaner and safe on all metal, plastic and paint;

Swish FACTO AT-30, see post 2 of http://forums.pelicanparts.com/cleaning-detailing-polishing/550748-best-cleaner-bar-none.html for detail and locations.

[javadog]

$159, for a bucket of that?

No....

JR

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by javadog

$159, for a bucket of that?

No....

JR

JR

In the US it should be around $100 for 20 liters pale, so its $5 a litter.

Up here, we pay more even though its made here