bead blast internal engine components??

[Dan]

which engine components would be safe to bead blast to clean them up??

[38Chevy454]

What is so bad that you need to bead blast to clean up? I just can not imagine anything that a good chemical cleaning would not take care of, and then you don't have to worry about any residual blasting material to contend with. The only part I can think is maybe you are using the old pistons?

[squirrel]

If they need it, you can blast most engine parts, as long as you can make sure to get all the glass out when you're done. If there are crevices that you can't get to, then don't blast them.

Examples of parts that it's ok to blast:

Connecting Rods
Crankshaft (but only if it's rusty)
Main caps
Timing cover


Examples of parts that it's NOT ok to blast:

Pistons (the ring groove and skirt finish are critical)
Block
Some intake manifolds

Hope this helps...but you know about opinions....

[Bruce Lancaster]

Circle Track once posted information from a NASCAR engine guy who said that anything beaded in an engine needed to be cleaned with detergent or soap and water, nothing else would reliably get the beads out well enough to be safe.

[The37Kid]

If you do blast a block clean it up REAL good after it is done. I've coated the insides of blocks with Gliptoll (sp) Eastwood sells it, traps any loose blasting materials, and seals the block.

[Dan]

I am maybe gonna try to re-use the pistons, that was my major question. Are for as the heads go, I assume it would be okay to blast the valves? Thanks for the info...

[squirrel]

On the valves, try to just blast the heads of them, but not the stems.

If you do reuse the pistons, you should try to find some way besides blasting to clean them. An aluminum safe vat is best, but carb cleaner will work.

[Bugman]

As a general rule, don't blast any machined surfaces unless your going to have them re-machined. It's usually ok to blast the tops of pistons, but don't hit the ring grooves or skirts. If you wrap the piston skirt in duct tape, the blaster won't affect it much. If it readily and easily chews up the duct tape, the blasting media is probably to harsh for the piston crowns too. I secong the heads of the valves thing. The heads are ok, but avoid the stems. You should probably reface them afterwards too.

-Jeff

[SamIyam]

When I was an aircraft mechanic, we used to bead blast valves and jugs... and if I remember correctly we used to blast the tops of pistons...

I have also seen machine shops bead blast heads... and if you do a stock intake, be sure to remove the heat shield...

On the other hand, I had my college engine machine shop instructor tell me that you can NEVER get all the dirt particals out of the metal once you bead blast parts... so a nice coat of paint on the inside is due on heads and blocks if you bead blast them... I have used that electric motor armature epoxy paint before... kind of a reddish brown color... oil just slips off it like shit on a shingle...
Sam.

[Blownolds]

DON'T bead blast a crankshaft! It has oil passages in it and you DON'T want to take a chance on glass beads coming back out later- right into your bearings.


If hot tanking won't clean a rusty crank, then have it tumbled.

[yorgatron]

walnut shells will do the trick.