Good cleaning solvent??

[oldmanolds]

What is the best cleaning solvent for cleaning old varnished greasy engine parts.Going to have the engine hot cleaned but need something for the pistons crank,cam,oil pump...yada,yada,yada.oldmanolds

[enjenjo]

I use mineral spirits. Some of the water solubile cleaners work good too.

[phat rat]

you're going to reuse the old oil pump and cam? If I were taking it down that far I'd at least replace the pump

[oldmanolds]

I'm not going to use the oil pump just the pick up.I don't know about the cam yet haven't got that far. oldmanolds

[EMSjunkie]

If you are near a Harbor Freight outlet, they gots some killer stuff that is water soluable, works great.  

Vance

[oldmanolds]

I usually use a product called Chem-Dip it works if you soak the parts for about 24 hours.Trouble is, it's $20.00 a gallon.Thats kind of pricey if clean a lot of parts. oldmanolds

[40 Chev]

I use TSP Tri-Sodium Phosphate desolve it in hot water and brush away then rinse with plain water, it works great for greasy stuff.

[purplepickup]

To get the really grungy stuff off I use kerosene and a good brush.   I let the tub of dirty kerosene sit a week or two and the crap settles out then I pour the somewhat clean kerosene off the top to be used again for something else.  

I finish cleaning the parts in the solvent tank with mineral spirits.  Pre-cleaning keeps the solvent tank fairly clean.

[kb426]

Is there some reason you don't put all the iron parts in the engine vat?

[oldmanolds]

Good question.I'll ask the guy that going to do my block. oldmanolds