Surface rust on cylinder heads

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rmchrgr

rmchrgr

Skate And Destroy
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I have my eye on a set of heads for sale locally, however they're covered in surface rust.

What's the best way to get rid of surface rust? Machine shop hot tank? Wire brush?

Thanks for any input.

- Greg
 
hi do not sand blast!! the sand will stay in casting pores and get into motor.
instead, take them to a machine shop, have them steelbrated. it's a tumbling machine, it removes rust, makes them look like new, the steel shot doesn't stay in casting. some will stay in water jackets, all you need to do is spray shaving cream in water passages before installing on block. just food for thought.
 
Assembled machined heads? cores? I'm assuming they have been done and are now rusty? If that's the case you cant blast them with anything or use the airless shot. Those methods make them cores again. I would take them apart, use wire brushes to clean the inner surfaces and lightly lap the valves in place. Then just run them. If this is the usual "light film" of surface rust...
 
moper said:
I'm assuming they have been done and are now rusty? ... If this is the usual "light film" of surface rust...
Click to expand...

Correct. Guy had a VJ done, then they sat. Heads are covered in a lovely orange - looks to be a little more than the usual 'light film'.

I would not sand blast them myself for reasons stated above. Local machine shop offers 'glass peen' service for cylinder heads, might look into that.

Mostly curious as to whether the caustic bath wold take care of it.
 
If a 3m pad on a die grinder won't do it then have them milled.
You can mill them assembled, just blow them out when done.
Remember, the shavings won't touch the valves/springs and such cause the heads upside down.

Not saying metal shavings are good in the water jackets... but look at what some stop leak products are made out of.
 
Trouble with any abrasive is it tends to stick in the pores, and it can ruin the surface finish of seats and guides if you're not careful. I'd just use a brush and get as much as you can off.. then stick a magnet in the oil pan. As the rust breaks free during heat cycles and stress, the magnet will help collect it from the oil.
 
Dissassemble heads , spread / coat with naval jelly spread with a small (1") paint brush and rinse with water. For heavy rust two applications. Harmless to the heads ..just dry immediately and paint. It WILL remove any and all surface rust. Cheap too. Safest IMO.

Terry
 
muriatic acid will remove the rust also like naval jelly, just get a gallon or 2, it's cheap, dump in a large plastic bucket, dip head for a minute or 2 rinse with water, spray with wd-40. do this out doors and do not breath the fumes.
 
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