Cleaning Engine Cases

You'd be surprised what a big can of gumout, some simple green and a scuff pad can do.

The SS clone has bead-blasted cases. Bead-blasting annealed the pores of the alloy and despite all the factory paint being gone and nothing ever applied over the surface, there has been zero oxidation. That being said, vapor blasting is better. Not sure if it was in use 40 years ago.

In order to get that "good" satin look on the exterior of the cases I found that four steps worked:
1. Thoroughly degrease and scrub (ss or brass brush plus alcohol).
2. Further clean and close alloy pores with fine steel wool (00 or 000) available in hardware shops in Australia.
3. Carefully wash residual steel wool off - I used kerosene.
4. Allow to dry then polish with pure canuba - available in auto shops over here.
For maintenance I wipe over occasionally (6 monthly?) with ACF-50 then polish with canuba a couple of days later.
Hope this is helpful.
Cheers
Rob
PS - I don't believe in painting cases, despite whatever they used to do.

I saw a video a while back (maybe here?) about tumbling aluminium engine parts. The result was fantastic, the process closed up the pores in the aluminium and created a superb surface, real smooth. Don´t remember what media was used, probably quite important.

Vapour blasted.

Washed everything in hot soapy water with a stiff brush, and hole brushes, hose on jet to rinse, then hit them with compressor air to dry. Repeat. Then hit them a third time, this time with the pressure washer and then compressor.





After this, some bits went to the polisher.

fiatfan said:

I saw a video a while back (maybe here?) about tumbling aluminium engine parts. The result was fantastic, the process closed up the pores in the aluminium and created a superb surface, real smooth. Don´t remember what media was used, probably quite important.

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Ceramic balls I believe.

I also believe it’s the process that cNw uses on cast parts. It gives a really nice finish that’s SO easy to keep nice.

I use this guy in the U.K. (trident sam put me on to him) and he does a great service...

http://www.aloh.co.uk/

Norcoastal said:

Now I’m very concerned.

Are pinion shafts repairable?

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As posted, its no big deal (The replacement pin/shaft is cheap from AN) but it is worth checking as they don't exactly fall out by themselves under normal circumstances so is a red flag of sorts.
Most likely they get a hard time when folk crank the various nuts without the pinion tool that holds the pin and attaches to the engine case so it is supported.

It would still be wise to go over the cases closely before spending good money on cleaning... Cam bush condition, cracks, inner primary cover threads,even heat the cases and drop the main bearings out... and give them a good scrub with hot soapy water.

Fast Eddie said:

Ceramic balls I believe.

I also believe it’s the process that cNw uses on cast parts. It gives a really nice finish that’s SO easy to keep nice.

I use this guy in the U.K. (trident sam put me on to him) and he does a great service...

http://www.aloh.co.uk/

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I have also used this bloke a couple of times. The last time was when I was rebuilding one of the rare 750 AMC engines. Expensive but the finish is superb. The technique is the same as used in engineering shops to debur & finish machined componenets.

MichaelB said:

An option on the cases are to scrub them up real good and paint them.
Norton painted them originally.
Focus on detailing the Head and barrel.

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Yes you will have to make a decision on whether to repaint them in silver or not. The Norton factory used one helluva tough silver paint on the cases.

Norcoastal said:

I’ve Googled “vapor blasting near me” and I can’t find anyone around me that does this. I may need to send them out somewhere.

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Where are you Norcoastal? I highly recommend Cape Cod Dustless Blasting (website online). I had the pleasure of being able to use the equipment to try it out on a gear case. Amazing results in stupid fast time. I had my head, cases, gear case and inner cover done and couldn’t be happier.

PS my avatar reads from Spain because I am over here on vacation. I and CC Dustless are located on Cape Cod in MA.

I am a fan of this product - Shine Seal , formerly known as Zoop Seal. It can be used as a matte finish on things such as our sandcast crankcases and gearbox shells or on highly polished pieces.

It could not be any easier to use. The kits come with cleaner concentrate , chemical sealant , polish and lint free towel. Mix up the cleaner and clean parts and rinse . When dry just wipe on sealant with supplied towel . Only the the thinest of films needed - in fact if you see it run it is too much.
For matte finishes you are done - for highly polished surfaces you rub out with included polish.
I am a big skeptic when it comes to snake oil products but this stuff really does what it claims . It ain't cheap but it works .
I offer up as evidence my ES2 motor - done over 8 years ago and over 2 k miles since completion and I live on the coast of NJ within throwing distance of the Atlantic Ocean - the corrosion capital of the universe.

And recently done Commando -