[SEL] cleaning an engine

[Arnie Fero]

Jeff,

You'll get a lot of different opinions on this one.  Mine is to get five gallons of
kerosene and a couple of stiff brushes.  Then start gently cleaning.  It may take
longer than some more aggressive methods, but it's pretty rare that you'll utter the
dreaded "OH SHIT!" and wished that you hadn't been so impatient.

It also gives you a chance to really go over the engine, looking for unusual wear,
fine cracks, etc.; the sort of stuff you might miss when just hitting it with 1000
psi steam.  There's really no rush.  Take your time and enjoy that original finish
being slowly revealed a layer at a time.

It's sorta like a strip-tease for engine men.  8-))

Good luck with it.  Is this your first engine, or one of many?  I don't think we've
heard much from you before.  Tell us a bit about yourself and your collection.

See ya,  Arnie

Arnie Fero
Pittsburgh, PA
fero_ah at city-net.com

On Tue, September 29, 2009 6:06 pm, jeff chattin wrote:
>
> I've got a mogul that has some paint left under a lot of grease. What is the best
> way to dissolve(clean) the grease off without taking the old paint off. Would
> mineral sprits be the best way to clean it? Thanks Jeff