Carbon removal and general block cleaning

[marko]

My 1500 block is now disassembled and ready for cleaning the interior of carbon and sludge right throughout. Is there something that I can dip the block in to remove or soften the deposits? The top face and cylinders are fine and don't need any machining so I don't want to damage those surfaces.
Does anyone know of an old-school remedy? Caustic soda dip? Hydrochloric or phosphate acids? A brush on and leave oven cleaning gel? Ideas are always welcome unless it's to fit a sprint engine and stop wasting my money on that bloody 1500tc.
Cheers, Mark.

[tony g]

Most engine recon places will have a "dip" that will clean most of it. Its probably not worth investing in chemicals for one engine. If you have a local engine shop that does rebore etc it may be worth asking them to decarbonise in the dip and hone the bores for you, that way when its clean and you fit new rings (do it!) the ring to bore seal will be the best it can be (assuming piston to bore clearance is within tolerance- get them to check that too)

Tony

[soe8m]

A scaffold cement tub with some agressive garage floor cleaner. Then a high pressure steam washer. (1. what's lying around me, 2. What cleaner is under the workbench, 3. Does the pressure washer still work? 4. Yeah did work )

Jeroen

[marko]

Jizer, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, cellulose thinners

[James467]

Jizer, spray it on, leave it, give it a good scrub then pressure wash off. Jizer is good because it leaves a film that prevents flash rust.

Be careful of aggressive acid based cleaners as they may damage your bores, you may end up having to re hone them.