Babbitt Bearings and Engine Cleaning

[JP31]

How should I go about cleaning the torn down block from my 31 without damaging the babbitt mains. I am planning on checking the valves and deglazing the piston bores and replace the rings while I have the engine open to correct the rear main leak.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

At a minimum, a good can of degreaser applied followed by a trip to the local self-service car wash to spray off the crud. Another option for cutting grease is to use an oven cleaner such as Easy-Off, which has caustic in it. It really does not need to be totally grease free, just remove the debris. Use volumes of air to blow out all of the residual water from the rinse.

 

[JP31]

Thanks Brent I am wanting to clean well enough to repaint.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Thanks Brent I am wanting to clean well enough to repaint.

The oven cleaner caustics will be your friend.

 

[Kevin in NJ]

Using wire, screw drivers and what ever break up all the crud in the water jacket. You just go in and break up the crud and do a combination of blowing and flipping the block on it head tapping some to get the crud to fall out.

Use a stiff wire to get to the hard to reach areas. It does not take a lot to get the rust, leftover casting sand and little pieces of mold wire to come out. You might be surprised at how much comes out. All those flakes act as insulators preventing heat flow into the water.

No nasty chemicals needed and does not hurt anything and only helps cooling. Well worth the half hour of work.

 

[JP31]

Thanks Kevin