Cylinder Head Cleaning

Post by **Kevin** » Sat Oct 25, 2003 1:51 pm

As its a while since I have done this, what is the best way to clean up a cylinder head face and ports, wire brushes hand/drill mounted, flap wheels, or stones of some type.
And what is the easieat way to remove the paint (the head is from a low mileage mini so the red paint must go) from the head.
Also do you think its a good idea to change all the studs as the engine itself must be 30years old and after the problem others have had with gaskets and possible stretched studs, should I do it as a matter of course as I no nothing of the engines history.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Oct 25, 2003 3:25 pm

the very small small drill mounted wire brush seem to do the trick.
Not sure about a good way top remove engine paint. If it wasn't flaking I've just painted over the top after giving it a bit of a key with sandpaper..
Paint stripper works well on bodywork, except the more layers of paint the more time effort and paint stripper you need. Engine paint on the other hand will be well stuck dure to the amount of hours it's had at high temerature./

Post by **Willie** » Sat Oct 25, 2003 6:24 pm

Yes, a selection of wire brushes in an electric drill for the
cleaning up, I use an old but sharp wood chisel for cleaning
the flat surfaces of the head and block, this removes ALL
traces of old gaskets etc. I agree with Ray re the paint.
Provided that you have removed any loose or flakey stuff
then just paint over the rest.

Post by **les** » Sat Oct 25, 2003 10:25 pm

You can buy a set of oil gallery brushes from Frost ( I think) that are ideal for cleaning down the pushrod holes etc, there are 4 in a set of varying diameters. I would say the studs will be ok, it's the ones that screw into the block that you might consider changing, but there again if it's a pretty standard engine probably not.