Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-11-2012, 08:59 PM   #1
Deluxe Delivery
Senior Member
 
Deluxe Delivery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 370
Default Sandblasting the engine?

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?
Deluxe Delivery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2012, 09:04 PM   #2
Bob C
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 8,713
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

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

Bob
Bob C is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 03-11-2012, 09:09 PM   #3
Glenn C.
Senior Member
 
Glenn C.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Didsbury Alberta
Posts: 838
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Do not sandblast. You will have a wreck if you do !!
Glenn C. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2012, 09:21 PM   #4
Deluxe Delivery
Senior Member
 
Deluxe Delivery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 370
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Yeah, it seemed a little "loopy" to me too...and it was my idea !
Deluxe Delivery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2012, 09:24 PM   #5
Kevin in NJ
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South East NJ
Posts: 3,398
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Rule #1 of sand blasting. Sand will go everywhere no matter how sealed you think it is.
Kevin in NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2012, 09:24 PM   #6
Reds34
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Eastern, CT
Posts: 527
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
You could try a chemical stripper?

Red
Reds34 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-11-2012, 09:38 PM   #7
BILL WILLIAMSON
Senior Member
 
BILL WILLIAMSON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Deluxe Delivery View Post
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.
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 03-12-2012 at 03:13 AM. Reason: typo
BILL WILLIAMSON is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 07:33 AM   #8
Richard Wilson
Senior Member
 
Richard Wilson's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 908
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

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.
Richard Wilson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 08:13 AM   #9
1931 flamingo
Senior Member
 
1931 flamingo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
Posts: 9,389
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

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
1931 flamingo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 09:16 AM   #10
Aerocraft
Senior Member
 
Aerocraft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Naperville, IL
Posts: 1,387
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

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
Aerocraft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 11:14 AM   #11
1932BB
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Marquette Mich.
Posts: 125
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Look for dry ice blasting. No residue except the dirt being removed.
1932BB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 11:24 AM   #12
Dave in Boise
Senior Member
 
Dave in Boise's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 330
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

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..
Dave in Boise is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 12:11 PM   #13
Deluxe Delivery
Senior Member
 
Deluxe Delivery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 370
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

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 !"
Deluxe Delivery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 12:20 PM   #14
darrylkmc
Senior Member
 
darrylkmc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 767
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

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
darrylkmc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 04:05 PM   #15
real550A
Senior Member
 
real550A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North Branch, MN.
Posts: 161
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

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.
__________________
Mike B.
Model A's and Porsches since 1957
real550A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 09:23 PM   #16
31 Pickup
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 51
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

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 Pickup is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 10:10 PM   #17
Dave in Boise
Senior Member
 
Dave in Boise's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 330
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 31 Pickup View Post
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
Dave in Boise is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2012, 11:10 PM   #18
Kohnke Rebabbitting
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: 60615,330th Ave.,Clare, Iowa, 50524
Posts: 1,457
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aerocraft View Post
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!
Kohnke Rebabbitting is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-13-2012, 05:49 AM   #19
jimvette59
Senior Member
 
jimvette59's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Perry OH
Posts: 1,327
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

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 ?
jimvette59 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2012, 08:05 PM   #20
46ford
Senior Member
 
46ford's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Nottawa MI
Posts: 289
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Dry ice blasting might also work.
46ford is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2012, 09:23 PM   #21
gibby
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Central Connecticut
Posts: 44
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

I went the sandblast route on a 67 mgb gt that i restored years ago when i was young and a little wet behind the ears. The result was that somehow it made it into the oil canister for the filter and i wiped out every bearing in the newly rebuilt motor. DON'T DO IT. As you say, oven cleaner works very well. Good luck.
gibby is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-15-2012, 09:44 PM   #22
30modelA
Member
 
30modelA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: sherwood arkansas
Posts: 83
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

hey i know, leave the hood down. the paint dissapears instantly. lol
30modelA is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 03-15-2012, 09:49 PM   #23
Jon-Ohio
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 191
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Back (1980's) when I was prepping the old engine for rebuild, after dissassebling the engine I took the block and head to a Redi Strip shop in Columbus Ohio to be cleaned. They completely cleaned (electrolytically) and derusted everything inside and out for about $80 give or take in the early 80's - probably much more now if they're still in bussiness.
Jon-Ohio is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2012, 06:25 AM   #24
mjm1972
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 53
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Any up dates on your task? Pictures? If you have not started It I can tell you first hand that the aircraft stripper that I am sure you can get at your Napa auto store works very very well..... But If I was going to do it over again I would have taken the motor out of the car......
mjm1972 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2012, 08:38 AM   #25
denis4x4
Senior Member
 
denis4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Durango CO
Posts: 1,309
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

I've used oven cleaner with a great deal of success. We had to sand blast the interior of our home to get rid of dark walnut stain on the wood. That was 19 years ago and we still get sand coming out of the T&G ceilings!
denis4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2012, 10:42 AM   #26
mjm1972
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 53
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Ill have to rember the over cleaner ... may even be cheaper to use .. thanks
mjm1972 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-28-2012, 11:28 AM   #27
juke joint johnny
Senior Member
 
juke joint johnny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London England
Posts: 908
Default Re: Sandblasting the engine?

DarrylKMC
You have burst my bubble !!!!
I thought I finally found a use for those 4 Walnut trees in the yard!!!
I guess I'll just have to keep getting fat from eating the nuts!!

No all jokes aside thanks for the warning !!!
Paint stripper allways worked for me wire brush, sponge and a bucket of water
John Cochran
juke joint johnny is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:09 AM.