Engine Paint Removal?

What's the best way to get the factory black off the motor?

I want to get it down to bare aluminum so I can have it clear coated.

soda blasting is the most gentle method (won't affect gaskets, rubbers etc)...not sure about where you are, but locally it's also one of the more expensive blast mediums.

I just did the engine on my KZ1000J project bike, lots of elbow grease, but relatively cheap and effective. First I completely stripped it down, split the cases and all. Then, I bought some cheap oven cleaner at the dollar store. Sprayed down the parts, scrubbed then with a brass detailing brush,and let soak for about 20 min. Then I sprayed then off with hot water. I had to repeat it about 5-6 times to get most all of the grime and paint off. I then took a die grinder with a brass wire wheel to them. They came out nice. Too bad I'm covering it all up with paint and powdercoat.

Just get them bead blasted or soda blasted and be done with it. It will look sweeeeeeeetttt!