ok well ive got these pistons and im pretty certain i need to clean them out before putting rings on them and installing them into the block. now my question is, how do i clean them? what can i use to get into the little grooves that the rings sit in?

 

Rubbing alcohol and a q-tip

 

i dont think a q tip will fit in those grooves, but will rubbing alcohol break up the carbon and all that gunk in there?

 

carb cleaner.

or if you have access to it, let them soak in parts cleaner..i believe it's called Safety-Kleen.

 

Carb cleaner

Go down to your local parts store and pick up a bucket. They come in one gallon buckets with a basket for like $15.

I pulled super super dirty pistons out of an engine I built and soaked them in the carb cleaner for a few hours a piece, the come out looking brand new... no scrubbing or nothing, just let them soak!

I also soaked all the nuts, bolts, and other small pieces I took off that engine, by the time I put it all back together everything was shinning!

 

brake parts cleaner has always worked for me

 

ya, carb cleaner is what i use

 

The steam/pressure cooker that you put blocks in always works well for me. It is nice to have friends with nice equipment.

 

They sell carb cleaner/parts cleaners at most auto parts places. Get one that comes in a bucket and has a basket. Just toss them in and let them soak. The stuff will eat all the crud off the pistons.

 

sounds like we got a winner, but one problem. well maybe not a problem, but it could be.

the pistons are still attached to the rods. soaking them in the carb cleaner will eat away the oil and everything on the wrist pins correct? is it possible to spin a wrist pin from lack of oil? or should i just apply some oil after cleaning and work it back into the wrist pin?

 

I just throw the whole thing in there... pistons, rods, end caps, everything.

I've cleaned a number of pistons/rods in carb cleaner buckets without ever having any problems.

Just use assembly lube on the bearings during assembly. But you should do that anyways.