Fins and engine casings

[pilgrim]

I saw a wonderful, prime condition 600S on the back of a trailer last weekend. The engine still shining with the protective lacquer.

I've had a little try out to clean a bit of the dusty oxidised deposit on my 600N's engine today and I can recover the shine on the rocker covers and give the cooling fins a clean surface. I now have two questions:

1. To clean all round the head studs I want to undo the nuts. Can I do this individually without risking any problem with the cylinder head? I'll torque one nut up before undoing another.

2. Is there a heat resistant lacquer I can spray on the finished surfaces so the finish will keep for a reasonable time to come?

Looks like I've got plenty to occupy my spare time with.........

;D

[CD]

Slacken any cylinder head bolts and you risk a blown head gasket.

Soda blasting is the best way to clean aluminium. Otherwise its many hours with a Dremel and (brass or stainless) wire brush. Then wash down, 2 pack primer and silver paint.

It is also possible to grit blast with a pressure washer but don't expect much accuracy. www.pressure-washing.co.uk/wet-blasting.php. Blasted alloy will quickly corrode so use the 2 pack primer ASAP.

The rocker and crank covers can be taken off to paint.

[pilgrim]

Thanks CD. Not knowing the risks it's better to ask. The point you're making is not to disturb whereas dismantling means it all gets reset together.

I am only looking to clean up the 'visibles' and I'll do it with the exhaust off so I can clean the front of the engine too.

Thanks.

;D

[bobh]

I agree with CD. Taking the nuts off one at a time could risk distorting the head (as well as being somewhat painful - cue the "two bricks" joke).

[CD]

Some alloy wheels cleaner will shift a lot of gunk. Keep painting it on & washing off. Cillit Bang is good but not much cheaper.

Neil will be along later to say how I had side covers done in low temperature stove enamel.