How to clean contaminated lifters and rockers?
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From: Kantuckee Yo'
How to clean contaminated lifters and rockers?
My engine had copper galore when the main bearings burned up, when I drained the oil it was golden.
Engine has been rebuilt but now I am down to cleaning the lifter and roller rockers before reinstall. I have cleaned the parts the best I can with rags to remove any contaminated oil on the outside.
Will this be good enough or does someone have a suggestion on how to completely clean these parts? I think any remaing contamination will be very minor.
Engine has been rebuilt but now I am down to cleaning the lifter and roller rockers before reinstall. I have cleaned the parts the best I can with rags to remove any contaminated oil on the outside.
Will this be good enough or does someone have a suggestion on how to completely clean these parts? I think any remaing contamination will be very minor.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Goochland, Va.
What rubber things? It shouldn't mess up rubber.....it is just a refined oil Kero that is.....not the laquer that will eat the rubber up
I'm not sure of any rubber in the lifter tho.....what part are you talking about? BTW I take it you got the mounts.......
I'm not sure of any rubber in the lifter tho.....what part are you talking about? BTW I take it you got the mounts.......
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From: Kantuckee Yo'
They were as you described them.
I though lifters had rubber seals of some kind in side that trap oil to keep them somewhat "pumped up" when the engine is not running. Maybe I am wrong here.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Goochland, Va.
The internals of the lifter are all metal....all machined to work/ pump up etc.
no rubber inside.......I would just take a bucket and put some kero in it, and do it that way
Maybe even let the stuff soak a little to loosen it up
no rubber inside.......I would just take a bucket and put some kero in it, and do it that way
Maybe even let the stuff soak a little to loosen it up
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From: Kantuckee Yo'
Thanks for the clarification. Going to clean them now.
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From: J-ville,NC
My opinion would be to buy a new set of lifters. You can never get all of that bearing material out. It would be like reusing your oil pump screen after spinning a bearing. Rockers are one thing, you can clean them pretty thoroughly, but you run the risk of any left over material getting into the lifter and blocking the oil passages. Just semething to think about
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Jupiter (NPB), Fl
My opinion would be to buy a new set of lifters. You can never get all of that bearing material out. It would be like reusing your oil pump screen after spinning a bearing. Rockers are one thing, you can clean them pretty thoroughly, but you run the risk of any left over material getting into the lifter and blocking the oil passages. Just semething to think about
Soaking them in mineral spirits should be fine. I let mine soak over night after an engine failure and have been fine since in my new motor.
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From: Kantuckee Yo'
Spent 3 hours today doing this and it was well worth it. There was lots of crud in them so it was well worth the effort.
I soaked them oil for around twenty minutes or so plus they are no pumped up from the manual oil priming process using the drill.
Thanks all.
I soaked them oil for around twenty minutes or so plus they are no pumped up from the manual oil priming process using the drill.
Thanks all.
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