Poped the top.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2001
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Poped the top.
I poped the top (valve cover) on my my newly aquired 351W HO and she looks quite gunky. I can't put much money in this engine. I would like to clean it up and degunk it. My question is this what can I use to clean it up? I do not want to screw up any seals or any thing that may deteroriate can I use Brake Clean to get rid of the gunk monster. I know the Mobile One detergent yadda yadda but I want to get rid of the stuff that is there first.
Thanks
Dan
Thanks
Dan
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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Auto-RX. 2 cycles of it. Follow the directions completely on the website. It's a safe cleaner. It's not going to clean your engine in 50 miles, but it will leave it spic and span after the second cycle (probably 4000-5000 miles)
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 3
From: NE Texas
Using such solvents in a really gunked up engine involves risk.
If it were mine, I would start a Friday night oil drain cycle. After driving home from work on Friday night, assuming that you drive about 15 miles or more, immediately go in and change into your work clothes, then come out and pull the drain plug and filter and let it drain OVERNIGHT. After drained, screw on a cheap filter, replace the drain plug and fill with Chevron Delo or Mobil Delvac. These oils are designed for diesels, although are certified for gas engines. They have LOTS and LOTS of detergent in them.
Run the oil and filter a week and then the next Friday night, do the same thing again. By using this oil AND doing a hot, overnight drain, you will SAFELY degunk the engine in a few weeks.
Once this oil starts draining out clean, pull the valve cover again and inspect. Once it's clean you can go back to your favorite premium motor oil. If your truck is old enough that it does not have roller lifters, stay with the Delo or Delvac. The reason is that these oils have zinc additives necessary for flat tappet cam health. Modern gas engine oils no longer contain these additives.
If it were mine, I would start a Friday night oil drain cycle. After driving home from work on Friday night, assuming that you drive about 15 miles or more, immediately go in and change into your work clothes, then come out and pull the drain plug and filter and let it drain OVERNIGHT. After drained, screw on a cheap filter, replace the drain plug and fill with Chevron Delo or Mobil Delvac. These oils are designed for diesels, although are certified for gas engines. They have LOTS and LOTS of detergent in them.
Run the oil and filter a week and then the next Friday night, do the same thing again. By using this oil AND doing a hot, overnight drain, you will SAFELY degunk the engine in a few weeks.
Once this oil starts draining out clean, pull the valve cover again and inspect. Once it's clean you can go back to your favorite premium motor oil. If your truck is old enough that it does not have roller lifters, stay with the Delo or Delvac. The reason is that these oils have zinc additives necessary for flat tappet cam health. Modern gas engine oils no longer contain these additives.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,649
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If you are pulling the pan and valve covers, and physically cleaning the gunk., I don't think the brake clean would hurt anything. I would try to keep contact with the valve stem seals and the rear main seal at a minimum, but the stuff dries so fast it usually doesn't hurt seals if it doesn't soak on them. Personally, I would replace the rear main while I had it out of the truck. Of course, I'd also check the bearing clearances and replace all the gaskets. This stuff doesn't cost a lot of money and is cheap insurance.
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