[eric32]

Hello guys I just got my stuff back from the machine shop the other day and I still have all my fasteners and some parts left over from my old build that was torn down rather quickly and did not have time to do a take your time job. I have my timing chain which has a torrington bearing on the rear and I am using full roller rocker arms and my rocker arms and timing chain seemed to pick up some dirt from in the air or the box they was put in.

I also have my pushrods and my used fasteners that has dirty oil and stuff on them from handling things. I need to know the best and safest method to clean my roller rocker arms and timing chain without damaging anything with dirt in the bearings and stuff. I know I can blast them with brake clean but am scared of leaving dirt behind in the bearings and stuff. Any suggestions on what to do that is safe on those valve train parts? The fasteners I thought of just blasting them and wiping them off with a rag and then wipe them with a wet rag of silicone spray to keep them from rusting and corrosion but the other parts is my biggest concern.

Thanks guys and appreciate any input.

 

[123pugsy]

You need to blow the wet brake clean out to carry the dirt with it. Rinse and repeat.

 

[eric32]

I can do as I have a tiny air compressor to use to blow things out.

 

['49 Ford Coupe]

For what it's worth, I sprung for a parts cleaner from Harbor Freight.. works great for cleaning anything... and as I recall, a "drip dry", "environment friendly", "non flammable" cleaning solution...

Wiping down can contaminate parts.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[2old2fast]

Block & crank ,warm soapy water ,( you can get an engine cleaning brush set for not as lot of $$) rinse & dry , coat with oil , put in plastic bags to keep clean. Plastic storage tray , couple gallon of minerals spirits , brush & rinse , blow dry , store clean , light oil on ferrous metal . clean ( like your moms kitchen) space for assembly with a convenient way to clean your hands

 

[BOOT77]

Jegs has their portable one on sale atm for $53 https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Perform...J_aCeW1gaWjMSb8QLjcumPQ2_LO17-8BoCABIQAvD_BwE

I still gotta add some ATF to mine, read that tip awhile back for keeping stuff from flash rusting.

w/e you do make sure to soak those rockers in oil after.

 

[BOOT77]

Also I'm not a fan of soap & water for several parts, even if you hose it with a "Big Blast" can of WD-40 or blow em off with air I have seen stuff rusting right in my hand, before I could get it dry or oil coated. Something bout the air around here maybe. Small parts that I clean with mineral spirits, go right into oil while still wet. Anyways I plan to use an old tote and gasoline for some parts this spring, gas has a bit of oil in it to coat the cylinders n stuff and I'll do it outside of course LOL

edit: Plus gas is still cheaper by volume than a lot of stuff. Use to have a friend who would clean up some stuff with break clean(and I do like break clean) told him to just use gas that he had in a can nearby. I put what I drain from my carb bowls into a bottle n what I don't use to fill the front bowl a bit, I use it to clean stuff.

 

[eric32]

Looks like I will need to be buying some equipment here. Mostly the fasteners and a few other things is all I have to clean to start off with but thanks for the link I will have to look into that. I already took some brake clean to my timing chain and thrust bearing on the back of it and sprayed it out and the chain good then blew it out with my air compressor and then I sprayed the sprocket with silicone lube and the same on the timing chain and used a squirt bottle of ATF on the roller bearing and then some ATF on the timing chain and stuck it in a clean bag.

The fasteners I will spray with brake clean and scrub with a brush or get some mineral spirits and let them soak and then blow dry off and then scrub the threads with a brush and stuff. As far as the engine parts and stuff goes my Father has all the stuff for that at his garage and I don't have to worry about those big parts. I just wanted to help out cleaning fasteners and a few things I have on hand.

 

[johnsongrass1]

Gather up all your crap you want clean and let your machine shop toss it in the next wash cycle. $50 and done.

 

[eric32]

I wish I would have thought of that Johnsongrass1 but I already got everything back and paid my bill. I don't have a whole lot but just some odds and end stuff. This will be my final time and won't have any more opportunity in the future as this will be my final ride in hotrodding and life itself. Got some bad news the other day and not looking good but moving forward with what I can and with what I have left. Thanks guys and appreciate your help as always.

 

[eric32]

Well guys just a final update, things are going well and I got a crash course on how to clean aluminum heads with a scotchbrite pad and being able to be safe on things without over worrying about stuff. Got short block put together and and heads on but not finished with that yet but getting close for new build being done.

Thanks guys for your help and appreciate your suggestions as they came in handy and helped me have some confidence.

 

[jerry.pasco]

I wish I would have thought of that Johnsongrass1 but I already got everything back and paid my bill. I don't have a whole lot but just some odds and end stuff. This will be my final time and won't have any more opportunity in the future as this will be my final ride in hotrodding and life itself. Got some bad news the other day and not looking good but moving forward with what I can and with what I have left. Thanks guys and appreciate your help as always.

Thanks for all the knowledgeable help you've given me while I've been on this forum. Good luck with the future = with love, Jerry

 

[eric32]

Been a pleasure for almost 15 years.