GJM
Posted a lot
Alloy engines; like communism- great in theory.
Posts: 1,393
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Aug 22, 2005 19:30:22 GMT
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cough cough- sorry, could not resist ;D
Right the head is off the Imp after presumed head gasket blow. Head does not appear to be warped thankfully however slightly worried about what appears to be slight indents in the head at some places, few mm wide and 1/1.5 mm deep. However one source says I should not worry about these as they are not at sealing points on the head. Any comments?
Anyway, the head is lovely and grimy and after 2 days of using WD40, coca-cola and a very very sharp window paint scraper (the kind you use to get paint splatter off glass) i have removed all the surface crud from the head and it is now nice and smooth, however now down to the dirty pattiner of which the scaper isnt having that much effect on.
Any tips from past experience of how to get your head shiny clean and sparkly? ;D
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Kris
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,631
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Aug 22, 2005 19:38:18 GMT
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I used Halfords engine degreaser on my engine before I put it in just to tidy it up, its not a harsh degreaser like GUNK but is pretty good for shifting light grime.
I also used a cheap paint brush cut down to about an inch to help shift all the dirt in the difficult to reach places and get the rough cast faces nice and clean. Are you going to paint it up?
What are you planning to do with the face, is the head fully stripped?
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Aug 22, 2005 19:41:57 GMT
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Gunk and then alloy wheel cleaner (if it's an alloy head)
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GJM
Posted a lot
Alloy engines; like communism- great in theory.
Posts: 1,393
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Aug 22, 2005 19:46:06 GMT
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ahh alloy wheel cleaner, didnt think of that one sorry minion didnt make myself clear, was talking about the head face, got rid of the crud but just not having much luck with the deep pattiner on the head face, although is now nice and smooth. Its not fully stripped but the face is all I'm worried about for now. don't think i'll paint the outside of the head, just make it look a bit more shiney than the current brown tinge that it has ;D Giving the rest of the bay a bit of a spruce up while I'm at it, repsrey air filter box, get cam cover shiny.
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Aug 22, 2005 20:31:19 GMT
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Mr muscle oven cleaner, but do it out side its nasty stuff
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Aug 22, 2005 20:34:00 GMT
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do you need to shift that 'patina'? I think if the metal is cleaned of gasket, oil, muck etc, some 'age-staining' does no harm. i'd be more worried about attacking the alloy with savage oven cleaners, caustic solvents etc. I think if you've got all the old gasket off, the surface is clean and theres no warping, your work there is done.
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT!
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ImpManiac
Part of things
Imps... Imps... Imps...
Posts: 868
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Aug 22, 2005 20:34:52 GMT
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Head & Shoulders... ... Alloy wheel cleaner only if it's really greasy... Be careful with oven cleaner. I had a friend at school whose dad used it on an alloy wheel from his Range Rover and it completely destroyed the wheel. Reduced it to brown sludge, apparently. I didn't see it but that's what I heard. I'm
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Last Edit: Aug 22, 2005 20:38:08 GMT by ImpManiac
1966 Singer Chamois sprint/hillclimb car in white over blue two tone 1975 Triumph Stag long term project (over 20 years so far) in colour TBA 2003 Vauxhall Vectra GSi 3.2 in black sapphire
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Aug 22, 2005 20:47:49 GMT
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I cleaned a roiver v8 with it long as you don't leave it on for more than say 30mins i cant see it being a problem
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v8ade
Part of things
Posts: 947
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Aug 22, 2005 21:21:56 GMT
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dish washers are good as they get really hot this helps to loosen the grime then it washes of it may take 2 goes if its really gruby ive done lots of bits and they come out as bare metal .
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Last Edit: Aug 22, 2005 21:22:51 GMT by v8ade
V8 on open headers at full throttle "Heaven"
Jaguar xf SportBrake rover 820 Turbo vitesse
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Aug 22, 2005 22:41:13 GMT
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Ha Ha! probably only advisable if you are a 'single male' i'd say!
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT!
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Davenger
Club Retro Rides Member
It's only metal
Posts: 7,272
Club RR Member Number: 140
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Cleaning my head...Davenger
@dminifreak
Club Retro Rides Member 140
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Aug 22, 2005 23:30:50 GMT
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dish washers are good as they get really hot this helps to loosen the grime then it washes of it may take 2 goes if its really gruby ive done lots of bits and they come out as bare metal . Hmm, given that Imp heads are a bit prone to warping, are you sure it's wise?
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mercmad
Posted a lot
Flush Hard,it's a long way to McDonalds.
Posts: 1,740
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Mr muscle oven cleaner, but do it out side its nasty stuff Don't do it all !~ >:(It eats alloy for breakfast and will f**CK your head not to mention your own head ;Dwhen it starts eating the sealing surface . Measure with a micrometer the height of the head,then get it surfaced at a competant auto machine shop,remeasure it to determine the amount removed to clear up the holes. you should also CC the combusdtion chambers to get an idea of the volume.If any are smaller than their neibours you should equaiise them to stave off preignition. Head surfaces should always be perfect ,accept nothing less
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Many years ago I changed my driving style to cope with rising fuel prices; I have now reached the stage where I am contemplating keeping my eyes shut in order to lower wind resistance.
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Aug 23, 2005 18:37:41 GMT
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do you need to shift that 'patina'? I think if the metal is cleaned of gasket, oil, muck etc, some 'age-staining' does no harm. i'd be more worried about attacking the alloy with savage oven cleaners, caustic solvents etc. I think if you've got all the old gasket off, the surface is clean and theres no warping, your work there is done. Fully agree here. As long as the head is flat and there is no pitting then you shouldnt need to do any moe than this
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Aug 24, 2005 20:31:46 GMT
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Don't go OTT with it. If you really want it a bit cleaner then give it a quick squirt with some carb cleaner. Do get the head checked by a decent machine shop or you'll be really pi55ed off if you have to do this again cos it's not flat.
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