Almuminum intake cleaning
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,486
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From: Independence, MO
Almuminum intake cleaning
Check around some BIG TRUCK supply places or tractor trailer type trailer shops, GREAT DANE, TRAILMOBILE, FRUEHAUF) you want aluminum acid or brightner. spray it on hose it off, i would recomend you have the intake off the motor when you do it. regular mag wheele cleaner is the same thing but not near as strong. you may even check the yellow pages for idustrial chemical suplies. hope this helps DW
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
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Almuminum intake cleaning
I used castro super clean on my intake. However, I will point out that I diluted the he** out of it as you should because there is no telling with cleaners how they are gonna react. It won't make it shine or dull, as my intake wasn't shiny new, but this stuff will clean any thing if carbon/oil cleanup is what you are looking for.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 489
Likes: 1
Almuminum intake cleaning
yeah, he's right. I used castrol super clean and did a less than 50% dilution. Cleaned my intake right down to the metal, all the carbon and sludge came off...but now it is a dull grey instead of the aluminum color it is supposed to be. That's fine with me though.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 279
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Almuminum intake cleaning
What kind of intake?
The upper intake on efi engines is painted. Standard aluminum cleaners will discolor the paint.
I believe all the lower intakes, and all the carb intakes are straight cast aluminum, so the above suggestions may work fine.
Mine was heavily coroded and the mag wheel cleaner wasn't very effective on the lower, and turned what was left of the paint on the upper to a dark tan color.
Ended up using a fine wire wheel with my dremel. Worked great. Gave it a nice rough-polish. Very time consuming though.
The upper intake on efi engines is painted. Standard aluminum cleaners will discolor the paint.
I believe all the lower intakes, and all the carb intakes are straight cast aluminum, so the above suggestions may work fine.
Mine was heavily coroded and the mag wheel cleaner wasn't very effective on the lower, and turned what was left of the paint on the upper to a dark tan color.
Ended up using a fine wire wheel with my dremel. Worked great. Gave it a nice rough-polish. Very time consuming though.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 434
Likes: 2
From: Oregon: Land of the Majes
Almuminum intake cleaning
You could also use the suggestion I pointed out to another individual on another site.....
1. get a cutting torch rig (two bottles, on a dolly, or similar)
2. lay the rig down flat, where the bottles are laying flat on teh ground, but the dolly can still roll a bit if needed
3. tie a chain to both the upper and lower intake.
4. make sure you are in a really open area, with at least 8 miles of cllear ground around you in any direction
5. take a big pry bar, put it over your head, and swing down mightily at the bottle valves on top, hopefully knocking them off
Now, this cutting torch rig should rocket away with your intake in tow, as the combined pressure of 900 psi in both bottles should push it along fairly well. Do remember the path it took. Get in your truck and follow. You will find it about 6-7 miles away, and by now, this mild cleaning action will have stripped away grease, grime, dirt, manufacturer's logos, part numbers, entire port passages, and will be clean enough to eat off of(Note: I do not condone the use of stripped intakes as a dinner plate, and there will be a need to clean a little of that dirt cleanser out of the remaining port passages before reuse).
Good luck!
1. get a cutting torch rig (two bottles, on a dolly, or similar)
2. lay the rig down flat, where the bottles are laying flat on teh ground, but the dolly can still roll a bit if needed
3. tie a chain to both the upper and lower intake.
4. make sure you are in a really open area, with at least 8 miles of cllear ground around you in any direction
5. take a big pry bar, put it over your head, and swing down mightily at the bottle valves on top, hopefully knocking them off
Now, this cutting torch rig should rocket away with your intake in tow, as the combined pressure of 900 psi in both bottles should push it along fairly well. Do remember the path it took. Get in your truck and follow. You will find it about 6-7 miles away, and by now, this mild cleaning action will have stripped away grease, grime, dirt, manufacturer's logos, part numbers, entire port passages, and will be clean enough to eat off of(Note: I do not condone the use of stripped intakes as a dinner plate, and there will be a need to clean a little of that dirt cleanser out of the remaining port passages before reuse).
Good luck!
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,496
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Almuminum intake cleaning
You could also try Dawn dishwashing detergent that stuff is very effective at hand cleaning after doing a little mechanic work.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: Thomson, GA
Almuminum intake cleaning
If it is SEVERLY tarnished like my saleen valve covers were, you can get some PB blaster and a lilttle elbow grease, and the tarnish will all but peel off. But I think you had better test it first before you try it. I discovered it after I had to free a sticking fast idle cam on my carb. Then I got some mothers and plished them up. I bought some of the acid from Napa. A gallon was $7-$8 USD, and you dillute it 1:1, making 2 gallons.
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