Cascade Crew

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:27 pm Post subject: how to clean an aluminum intake

So the engine I bought came with a holley contender aluminum intake manifold. Its in good shape but I want to clean the carbon out of the inside of the intake. I called some machine shops and they said they can't hot tank aluminum. Third Gen says to use cleaner and a rag but I can't clean the inside that way so what else is there? I'd much rather use this intake then buy a new one but I want it clean first. Let me know what ya think. Thanks

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

Soak carb cleaner in it?

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:40 pm Post subject:

I was thinking something like that. The problem is the carbon us caked on there pretty good so I don't know if that will take it off

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

Let is set for a day or so. Also might try scrubbing as much as you can inside with ba botyle brush. You can get carb cleaner in the gallon buckets.

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:47 pm Post subject:

Alright ill give it a try. How much does the cleaner run? The machine shop I called said they could bead blast it for $60

Alphius · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:52 pm Post subject:

A transmission shop should be able to do it. They should have the equipment to safely clean aluminum.

Or try some sort of media blasting.

1987_sportcoupe · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 7:55 pm Post subject:

Yea I'm going to call some tranny shops tomorrow and see what they can do. Otherwise ill just let this shop bead blast it for 60

jchaussee · Member Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton

Cleaner its like 20 bucks or something, but if you could get it blasted , that would prob clean it better

Twilightoptics · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 8:07 pm Post subject:

Unless it's thick and crusted on it's not worth it. Once you get the carb on there and run it, the fuel from the carb will clean it on it's own.