Bead blasting and fitting pistons

[Faztbullet]

Re: Bead blasting and fitting pistons

You always,always bead blast and do any prep work before you bore block as you do not want the cylinders to etch after its bored and honed. This way you find all the problems block has before you bore it as it could need replacing or welded. Since you already have bored it I would spray it down in Power tune or Carbon guard and let set over night to soften up carbon and pressure wash. Use a round toilet brush in the cylinders with a stronger cleaner like Purple power several times until you can wipe bore with a white paper towel and no gray residue is remaining, then soak cylinders with a water displacing lube like WD40 to prevent rust. Ask your local dealer if you can rent the ring compressors or set the crank for you, with proper compressors I can set a crank in about 10 mins, that includes installing compressers and dropping all 6 pistons and crank at 1 lick. Pm me as if your close(Tn) I can set it for ya...

 

[1970Thunderbird]

Re: Bead blasting and fitting pistons

Fazt,

Thanks for the info about Power Tune or Carbon Guard. I'll see if I can get some locally.

The machinist said to thoroughly wash the block with soap and water, several times, to remove all the machining grit. We once had a guy helping us with replacing a car head gasket, and what he did was ensure each piston was at the bottom of travel, and put shaving cream in the cylinder, and let the piston push it out. That worked pretty well, too.

I'll check with my local dealer, but they've been nothing but uncooperative with regards to this project. They're very much a "we'll sell you a new one" type of store.

 

[MercMan82]

Re: Bead blasting and fitting pistons

The soap and water bit is in the factory manual. That's what I did. All the same thing tho. The objective is get all of the loose metal dust and shavings from the boring and mill work, out of your motor so that there is no excess wear on the piston rings when you break the motor in. I agree with fazt, just clean the water jacket and exhaust then wash it down good. Immediately after lube the cylinders because they are cast iron and will rust in a matter of minutes.