cleaning upper while off?

[1990LTD]

How would one best go about cleaning the HO upper intake before I put it on my car? Blowing the crap out of it, basically.....I have intake/tb spray cleaner but I can't really use it as directed before I put the manifold on since there won't be much in the way of air flow sucking it in and/or combustion.


I don't know what I could use to push through the runners that would be rough enough to get the crap out of it but wouldn't hurt the intake itself

[1987cp]

Glassbead cabinet works pretty good.

[jayh]

get some carb and choke cleaner, a toothbrush sized wire brush and scrub away. flush it out with apressure washer when your done(just take it to the do it yourself carwash and do the whole project there)

or a parts washer, and the same wire brush with some scrubbing, but carb + choke cleaner is probably still needed

[1990LTD]

Glassbead cabinet works pretty good.

None available to me I'd have had it done already, along with my TC wheels

[Lincolnmania]

soak the inside with purple power, get a cheap bottle brush to scrub out what you can of the runners........rinse real good with hot water, repeat as needed.......after that process then go for the carb cleaner

[pantera77]

get some carb and choke cleaner, a toothbrush sized wire brush and scrub away. flush it out with apressure washer when your done

This. Although I use paint stripped because I'm a cheap bastard.

[gadget73]

If you'd prefer not to scrub as much, let it soak in the degreaser for an hour or so before scrubbing. It will come right out. Keep in mind that most heavy degreasers are caustic, which will etch aluminum if you leave it soak too long. Paint thinner, mineral spirits, or other solvents will not damage aluminum, though they may not cut the black crap as well.

I'd rather clean an intake with liquids than bead blast it. If you don't get all of the abrasive out, it may end up in the motor. It also has zero risk of damage to the gasket surfaces.

[Freshmeat]

Mineral spirits will do the trick. If you know anyone who works at pretty much any automotive shop, go in and beg if you can use their parts washer for a few minutes. I have my own and it's a life saver for crap like that.

[1990LTD]

thanks guys. i'll block off the openings of the runners and pour some degreaser in the throttle body end of the intake. won't let it sit too long - worst case scenario, it doesn't get all of it and i have to try again...sounds better than screwing up the aluminum