Whats the best way to clean up old engines?

Circle_u wrote:

I have a couple of old bikes that I can get running, but the cases have become, for a lack of a better word, chalky.

Any ideas on how to clean them up?

The chalky fyi is aluminum Rust . Thats how it breaks down..

Just wondered if he soda blasted it with the engine in ? I cant afford a complete stripdown and this looks like a good option .If anyone else has info on this topic I,d love to hear about it.

Cheers

z650c3

Skyman nailed it "If your gonna bead blast make sure to clean it well after"

IMPORTANT thing that is a MUST to do afterward. Also, if your using small wire wheel brushes on your Dremel buy the better quality ones, use a low setting and wear safety glasses. Regards, Doug

PJ1 high heat semi gloss black engine enamel!

Are you guys taking the engine out for the cleaning/painting?

AnxiousCowboy wrote:

Are you guys taking the engine out for the cleaning/painting?

If you want a nice paint job yes.

anybody ever use CO2 blasting? We had a company come to my work to clean off some equipment with a dry ice blaster. THey were able to clean everything off really nice while the machines were on and running! The CO2 acts like a solvent and actually dissolves the grease and goo while blasting it with pressure to blow it away. Best of all, the dry ice sublimates and there is NO cleanup at all.

I don't know how hard it would be to make one...you could touch up your bike really nicely and quickly without taking anything apart...

You don't have tp strip down the engine to soda blast it. It can be done fully assembled. But you will need to close off any holes or ports that are open to the engine's interior to reduce the soda from entering it. But I doubt the soda will harm the engine even if some of it managed to get inside. Better to err on the side of caution though and close off those openings. As far as blasting it on frame, mask off sections of the frame that are in contact with the engine and close by.

I am currently preparing to restore an old 1978 Yamaha GT80. The reason why I mentioned it here in this thread is that part of the plan is to soda blast the engine without stripping it. (The engine will be removed from the frame though) My only concern is if the soda will remove the rust from the iron cylinder fins. I will find out later on.

Good luck on the restore.

unomike , when do you hope to have the soda blasting complete on the engine ? I,m hoping to do the same but I,m unsure how good a job it will be . Very interested in seeing how well it goes.

Cheers

Bryan

How much compressor do you need to soda blast. Will a 110 V unit suffice or do you need a 220 V one. I will be looking for compressor in the near future and need advice on what to get. Floor space and 220V power are issues.

The 110V will work ok in certain temporary situations. The issue will be air volume vs. pressure at the air gun and it will be running constantly when in use. Most 110 compressors are mainly made to operate small tools and perform light duty tasks as most of these types come with small air tanks. It severely limits the uses of air tools and adds time to a project if you have to wait for the compressor to refill the tank.

If you are looking to install an air compressor to do large tasks, you might seriously consider getting a 220v. compressor with a 60 gal. standup tank and work on feeding in a 220v line to it. It will be more efficient and use less electricity in the long run. I've been using a small 110v compressor for years and recently got a 220v 60 gal standup compressor from my brother when he remodeled and upgraded his paint shop. It makes a BIG difference. and yes, I had to install a 220v feed to it from the main box in my house to the garage. Mine is mounted out of the way in the corner of my garage.

The 110v compressor will do the job but expect the Soda Blasting work to take longer to complete. All that depends on the size air tank you are using.

z650c3, Not sure at this time when I'll soda blast the engine, still working disassembling the bike. I'll post a before and after pic here when I'm done and detail out what was involved. There are pics in this thread showing before and after pics. My engine is in rougher shape so it will be interesting to see how well it will clean up.

That's what I expected to hear, but was hoping not. I haven't got around to shopping for a compressor yet. 220 power is available in the sub panel in the garage. Just have to fish a wire don the wall. Space is the real issue. I have 9 ft ceiling so I could build a shelf for a 110 v compressor in the corner. Guess I'll have to get creative. Soda blasting seems to be the way to go.