New To the Site. Engine Cleaning?

OBrien87778

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Heres the story.

Bought an 78 XS650SE off CL for $350. Came with new tires and new Chain, Didn't Start Though. Bought a new battery. Replaced the Spark Plugs and fuses, Tore apart the carbs and gave them a cleaning , took out stock air boxes, put on Uni Pod Filters. After a Few Kicks Started right over.

Now I Decided To Build a Bobber, Purchased the Ardcore Hardtail.

I want to clean and paint the engine as I have it out of the frame. Any Suggestions for Cleaning the outside of the Engine? Trying to avoid taking apart the engine for paint.
Is this possible?

Thanks!
 
Degrease it first. Seal off all open spots, ie: intake, exhaust, breather etc.

Stick entire engine in Glass Bead cabinet (mine had a spinning pedestal inside) and blast your way to a new engine.
 
A lot depends on the finish you desire but a good degrease will go a long way! Blasting is by far the best way to get rid of everything if you have that option available
 
To degrease you can use Paraffin with some great results, use a brush to help brake down the grease. Then once done you can bead blasted if you can. Paraffin is not expensive at all.
 
Thanks for all the responses

TwoJugs I seen your videos awhile back and that's what inspired me to paint it. love the look of the clean fins on the engine. Good Stuff brother.

I However do not have the blasting option available to me. I was just going to take a pressure washer to it and give it a soap bath. What do you all use to seal off open spots for paint? Since I don't plan on taking apart the entire engine I don't want to risk of getting anything inside. Standard blue painters tape do the job? I plan using black duplicolor semi gloss engine paint from local autozone if that matters?
 
Careful with the pressure washer. Might blow stuff deeper into cracks and cause more bad then good. Unless you do a really good job pluggin openings you are gonna get water and dirt in the motor with that much force flying around. I would use mineral spirits and a good parts cleaning brush and you buddies tooth brush. Some green scotchbrite works great too. Once clean use spray brake cleaner and acetone to degrease before painting. Plug the head ports and crancase vents holes. Make sure the clutch push rod and drive sprocket and spacer is in too. That should seal off the motor.

I tried a few different black paints and had bad luck with all of them when it comes to gasoline resistantance. Most all will wash off when hit with gas and since there will be a time when your carbs, tank or fuel line will drip no matter how careful you are, you risk ruining the paint. I went with Duplicolor Aluminum engine paint on the crankcase since it held up real well against gas once cured. I used VHT barrel paint on the cylinders and head. It gets better with the gas as time goes and it gets cooked a few with the motor heat. It can be found online and some auto parts stores can order it for you if they want.
 
Welcome to the forum, charles839.

I've had good results with the Gunk Engine Cleaner.
Used thisaway:

Go to carwash.
Spray the Gunk.
Wait a few minutes.
Carwash the area.
Let it dry.
Repeat 'till happy...
 
Best stuff I've found - Debeer Refinish Silicone Remover. Paint shops use it for surface prep but does it ever chew through oil, grease, 1k coatings & even enamel with a bit of shoulder work. Doesn't blemishing/stain metal surfaces. $50 CAD (that's like $7 US hehe) for a 3.7 Litre jug, it goes a looooong way.
 
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