[Buttaz]

I think the title is pretty self explanatory, but here it goes anyways. . .

I'm rebuilding my '96 3.8 to replace a blown head gasket. The problem is, theres burnt on coolant pretty much everywhere. Mainly I'm worried about the interior of the engine, but I'd really like to clean up the outside as well. I'd like to pretty much shine up the entire head on both sides, and the lower intake manifold. Is there any way I can clean the intake, exhaust, and coolant passageways? I've wot some EngineBrite engine cleaner, and some carb cleaner for the hard to get stuff, and I've been scrubbin away with a tooth brush for like 3 days, ant what I can reach looks ok, but I need a way to like de-grease the entire head. Is there a solution or something that i can dip it in to clean the entire part?

[TheUNZippee!]

As long as a surface is not aluminum, use a small wire wheel in a drill for the external surfaces of the heads & block.

Also look for a product called Gunk. It rocks.

[TheUNZippee!]

Gunk: Look For The Degreaser

[HMUSN]

have it powerwashed and steam cleaned.
... it costs around $50.00 and it make it look like it has ten miles on the motor.

[TheUNZippee!]

Yeha powerwashing is also grate for cleaning shit. So to speak.

[Buttaz]

but i thought you weren't supposed to clean engine parts with water because of rust?

what are your thoughts on electric cleaning? i remember seeing it on the speed channel.
something about dumping the part in a bucket of water and baking soda, then hooking up a battery to it and all the dirt flows off of the part

[HMUSN]

I personally haven't seen that...

but I have had an engine cleaned before and they did an outstanding job.. and remember... if it's not you doing the cleaning and something breaks... it's their fault and they have to pay for it.

water it's going to hurt your outside engine parts.

salt will.

[TheUNZippee!]

It's also handy to have a parts cleaner, like this baby here: WASHER!

[stephen]

If the heads are off the engine, I would just give it to a machine shop to clean up and also have them do a valve job and surface the head gasket surfaces.

A machine shop would soak the heads in solvent and probably also shot blast them. I have usually done a preliminary cleaning first. One way is to soak it with Gunk and hose it off. Another option is to use paint thinner and rags to get most of the dirt off the outside and then power wash it. I have a power washer for other purposes and it does a good job of cleaning engine parts.