ok i'm trying to clean up my new engine and i'm getting pist because the bitch is so dirty. i've tried sandpaper, dremel, wirebrushing, and some others but the rust and oxidation is kickin my ***. it's hard because i'm working on the keg together and don't plan on rebuilding before running it. any recommendations?

 

4" brass brush on an corded drill, and a dremel with brass brush for the areas you can reach with the drill. It'll take off oxidation instantly, and leave a slight polish to the aluminum (which will readily oxidize to a dull grey) I don't need to mention that you should be ductaping the engine orifices?

 

What are you trying to do? Clean up the outside of the housings? Just de-grease it and spray it with high temp engine paint.

 

yea at this point i have the dirt off but i'm scrubbing the **** out of them with a wire brush to get dirt out of pits and the tight spaces. painting is taking the easy way out!

 

My friend gave me an alkaline solution that he used at the car dealership he works at to clean up parts. I don't know exactly what it is but it ate away at the oxidation and cleaned the intake manifold I was working on up nicely.