LUVTruck.com

OK, I have done a bunch of searching on this and found no decent answers. I've determined this is due to one of two things:

1. It's so obvious how to do it that no one bothers to ask.
2. It's a highly guarded, super high tech secret.

What is the best way to clean pistons at home?

I'm planning to get 2 gallons of Simple Green and a tub and drop the pistons/rods in head first and let them sit for few weeks. Then scrub them down with a couple of stiff nylon brushes.

Will that be good enough? I do know enough not to use a metal brush on them.

Someone told me the other day I could also use Dawn (dish soap) to soak them?

Can I use a powerwasher on them? I have a small 1200psi Karcher powerwasher available to borrow...

I'm mostly concerned with getting the ring lands cleaned out properly, but aside from that do they NEED to be all shiny and pretty, or does it really matter?

This is such a basic thing, but I don't remember if/how I've done it in the past.

Thanks!

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"If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves" - Thomas Edison

You can clean the piston skirts with something like scotch brite pads. You just want to get the crud off. A piston skirt needs to be able to hold some oil on it. You do not see piston skirts polished. Piston tops, yes, coated pistons, tops and sides and more. You are just using a regular setup. There is a tool, a ring grove cleaning tool. You should be able to rent one from the big name brand autoparts stores. You can use use one of the old rings to help clean the grove. You do not need to break a old ring, but you can use a broken piece. Use the out side part of the ring. Do not use a sharp pointed end. You don't want to make the grove deeper or wider. Deeper is better than wider, or higher depending on how you look at it.

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75 Luv, 350 V8, TH350, Camaro rearend. New 1975 Luv Step side. Stock for now.
Grandmaster of the "Shade Tree" way.. I can't see the yard for all the cars. Come on down and we will sit on the porch and watch the grass grow.

I used diesel and a brass bristle bush on stockers . I agree the ridges on the side need to stay . All my race pistons get taped off above the top ring land and glass bead blasted to round out any sharp edges and dull the finish . This aids in curving detonation .

Thanks guys. As I suspected, it's not rocket science, just common sense. Appreciate your feedback!

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"If we did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves" - Thomas Edison

I would put the pistons in a vise in the skirt area use a 5 pound sledge hammer and chisel to revove the light carbon build up in the ring lands and piston tops.

kidding kidding

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don`t have the luv no more but I still like em.72 el camino,
00 & 06 silverado one 4x4, turboed vw sandrail,99 banshee, 06 raptor 700, 02 polaris trailblazer.