Sandblasting the engine?

[Deluxe Delivery]

As the engine in the A chassis I am working on has many coats of paint on it...some of them red...I am considering sandblasting it clean. I would like to know if anyone has done this and what precautions they took. This is running, in the chassis. I know to seal the disy, generator and starter and tranny louvers on the cover. Anything else? or is this a bad idea?

[Bob C]

I wouldn't even think of sandblasting it, that sand will get in no matter how good you
think you got it sealed.

Bob

[Glenn C.]

Do not sandblast. You will have a wreck if you do !!

[Deluxe Delivery]

Yeah, it seemed a little "loopy" to me too...and it was my idea !

[Kevin in NJ]

Rule #1 of sand blasting. Sand will go everywhere no matter how sealed you think it is.

[Reds34]

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You could try a chemical stripper?

Red

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Deluxe Delivery

Yeah, it seemed a little "loopy" to me too...and it was my idea !

DD,
Why should it seem "LOOPY," (good word, I'll have to remember that one!) when some of the guys think an A Model will "RUN ON DIRT!" Isn't that something to do with the word, (HYPOCRITICAL)
Well, Sigh! Since I can't stir up nuttin' today, I,ll finish making my bannana puddin' & go to bed. (The dog has the bed already warmed up, GOOD DOG!) Bill W.

[Richard Wilson]

I have had good results using several wire wheels on an electric drill to clean an assembled engine block/head to shiney bare metal. Plan on 3 to 6 hours depending on how much paint and rust is present. You can not keep all of the sand out of an assembled engine while blasting.

[1931 flamingo]

How about a different medium other than "sand"?? Walnut shells ?? I'm sure there are others. Or use a liquid/gel type remover.
Paul in CT

[Aerocraft]

I have seen Walnut shells used with apparent success. Advertising claims are that Walnut shells are "consumable" without damage. I would still tape up the openings very well. Gar Williams

[1932BB]

Look for dry ice blasting. No residue except the dirt being removed.

[Dave in Boise]

I have used a gel type chemical stripper, a garden hose and a light duty (fine wire) brush on a drill motor.. It works very well.. Pull all the accessories off, put in a set of old spark plugs and locate a rubber cork for the removed distributor.. be sure to run water through the coolant system as well in case some of the stripper gets into the waterneck if you have the radiator and hoses off..

Paint on the stripper nice and thich and wait.. give it 20-30 minutes and then hose off with a strong stream of water or pressure washer.. The wire brush needs to be used only after it is rinsed for stuck on areas, as if you brush before rinsing. you will spray very fine and powerful paint remover *everywhere*

I went through 2 cycles of this and then adter it was finally brushed and rinsed off, dried it with a air hose, rubbed it down with paint thinner and painted it up.. Still looks new after 3 + years..

[Deluxe Delivery]

Good advice, all, and Thanks, Dave, nothing speaks as convincingly as the voice of experience. I've heard it on good authority that "real men use oven cleaner !"

[darrylkmc]

I would not do any type of Blasting near my engine. Here is a link to a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter that went down due to Walnut Shell Blasting:

"Failure of the Input Pinion Capsule was caused by Walnut Grit blocking the oil journals inside the transmission. Walnut Grit was used to clean the transmission during the overhaul process."

http://www.chinook-helicopter.com/hi.../74-22292.html

Darryl in Fairbanks

[real550A]

If you can obtain "aircraft stripper", it's twice as effective as the cheap home store
brands. Dedicated paint stores usually have the aircraft stuff.

[31 Pickup]

Playing the "wise guy" here - all those coats of paint could be 'sealing up' a lot of leaks
Be careful of the stripper around the gaskets and seals, unless you are planning to regasket anyway

[Dave in Boise]

Originally Posted by 31 Pickup

Playing the "wise guy" here - all those coats of paint could be 'sealing up' a lot of leaks
Be careful of the stripper around the gaskets and seals, unless you are planning to regasket anyway

31, That is likely one of the 'wisest' replies I have heard.. True, the chem stripper could get into some of the gaskets.. Great advice

[Kohnke Rebabbitting]

Originally Posted by Aerocraft

I have seen Walnut shells used with apparent success. Advertising claims are that Walnut shells are "consumable" without damage. I would still tape up the openings very well. Gar Williams

Walnut sheels might be alright, but how are you going to get rid of all those darn Squirrels!

[jimvette59]

How about Soda blasting it should work? As always seal the engine. I think I will try this on my 53 mercury engine. What is your opinion ?

[46ford]

Dry ice blasting might also work.