Cleaning the pistons

[svttouruofl]

Well I pulled my heads on my svt block to have them cleaned from massive carbon build up. The piston faces have build up as you can see and I started trying to clean them with some Berrymans B-12 and a rag. I was able to clean one of them completely but the rest are still gunked up as the pictures show. Is there any other method to cleaning them while they are in the block? I didn't know if it would be alright to take some very fine sandpaper and clean them up. Is this worth it or am I just wasting my time?

As they were after removing the heads

The one clean piston

What the rest look like

 

[Harrry]

No it's fine, no sand paper is needed. I know you want to do everything in your power to make them the best looking/workable set of pistons now that they are visable.

They will just carbon back up and continue too. there is nothing wrong with that.

SO don't worry, the only thing i would recomend is a wire brush on the end of the dremel used for polishing. That way they remove almost nothing and clean up the piston.

 

[Dyoel182]

Its still weird to me to see a non-dished piston. You got the one sparkling clean though!

 

[svttouruofl]

Well after a little more elbow grease today I was able to get the rest of them to clean up. Some of them aren't perfect but they are alot better than before.

 

[Dyoel182]

Now my next question is why in the world are you using a Fram filter?

 

[todras]

Wondered the same thing. Motorcraft are excellent quality and $3.50 at Wal-Mart.

 

[svttouruofl]

Now my next question is why in the world are you using a Fram filter?

I don't know, just always have. Is there something wrong with them that I should know about? I used to use the normal fram filters then I switched to the tough guards because I drive fairly hard and I thought that it couldn't hurt. I did actually notice that the used oil was cleaner than before.

 

[Dyoel182]

I don't know, just always have. Is there something wrong with them that I should know about?

There are several things wrong with the lower Fram grades. For one they use cardboard instead of metal in places inside the can, some of which people have later found in their oil. Secondly they use a string to hold the media together for some reason and that also has ended up in the oil. Not to mention the otherwise cheap construction.

The FL-820S Motorcraft filter thats made by Purolator is much much better and usually cheaper. You get the better filter media, better drainback valve and the correct pressure bypass valve designed for this engine.