1967 GT 350 Intake Manifold Cleaning Tips ?

[DGSOH]

While I have the intake off I thought I'd give it a good cleaning. Any recommendations? Are any of those raw aluminum wheel cleaners useful and safe? There's a spot with a fuel stain I'd like to get rid of.

Thanks!

[Bob Gaines]

While I have the intake off I thought I'd give it a good cleaning. Any recommendations? Are any of those raw aluminum wheel cleaners useful and safe? There's a spot with a fuel stain I'd like to get rid of.

Thanks!

Has it been cleaned before ? Bead blasted etc.? Or is it unrestored with caked grease ,paint overspray etc.?

[DGSOH]

While I have the intake off I thought I'd give it a good cleaning. Any recommendations? Are any of those raw aluminum wheel cleaners useful and safe? There's a spot with a fuel stain I'd like to get rid of.

Thanks!

Has it been cleaned before ? Bead blasted etc.? Or is it unrestored with caked grease ,paint overspray etc.?

lol After I posted I thought to myself maybe I should have mentioned current condition.

It was bead blasted (I know, I know) a few years ago and is pretty clean right now with really only the fuel stain on the passenger side below the carb, probably a few finger prints here and there and looking a little dull. I understand the dull is sort of where it should really be maybe?

Thanks.

[shelbydoug]

Well there is doubt in my mind about dull simply because I've seen (and have) manifolds that have a gleam to them as if they were vapor blasted.

I know...I'm gonna' get flack from Gaines BUT you have to see one that has been vapor blasted. It's to another level!

[J_Speegle]

Well there is doubt in my mind about dull simply because I've seen (and have) manifolds that have a gleam to them as if they were vapor blasted...

Don't understand your statement - respectfully. Are you saying that seen original or NOS period intakes that had a shine to them other than the machined surfaces without some form of protective coating or oil ?

[shelbydoug]

Well there is doubt in my mind about dull simply because I've seen (and have) manifolds that have a gleam to them as if they were vapor blasted...

Don't understand your statement - respectfully. Are you saying that seen original or NOS period intakes that had a shine to them other than the machined surfaces without some form of protective coating or oil ?

A gleam to the dullness.

[J_Speegle]

A gleam to the dullness.

Well that surely is covering all the bases

[JD]

Start mild, all-purpose cleaner (Fantastic or 409) and a soft-ish plastic Bristol brush rise with water.  No power tools.

Then maybe citric-based cleaners.

Heavy stuff, some have used oven-cleaner

[Bob Gaines]

While I have the intake off I thought I'd give it a good cleaning. Any recommendations? Are any of those raw aluminum wheel cleaners useful and safe? There's a spot with a fuel stain I'd like to get rid of.

Thanks!

Has it been cleaned before ? Bead blasted etc.? Or is it unrestored with caked grease ,paint overspray etc.?

lol After I posted I thought to myself maybe I should have mentioned current condition.

It was bead blasted (I know, I know) a few years ago and is pretty clean right now with really only the fuel stain on the passenger side below the carb, probably a few finger prints here and there and looking a little dull. I understand the dull is sort of where it should really be maybe?

Thanks.

Based on your description I would first go with the steps that JD gave in Reply #7 then final finish with some Eagle One aluminum Wheel cleaner . The first products will get rid of most grease ,dirt ,fuel residue so that the acid in the aluminum cleaner product can work better. That aluminum cleaner product unfortunately has changed over the years. Previously there was one product for cast wheels (what I used that would dull polished wheels because it was so strong) and a less strong product for polished wheels. Now it is one product for both which isn't as strong . Use with a stiff plastic bristled brush like the other products JD suggested. It is still better to use then not but doesn't give as good of results. I haven't found a substitute

[Jbrooks]

I ended up using brake cleaner and a wire brush, and it worked out great

[J_Speegle]

Just consider when you make your choices that chemicals and types of metal (think brushes) can react with the base aluminum and often produce unwanted results. As many have found out you can't reverse some of these choices - in the search for reproducing the original look - so consider everything and test on another intake or a hidden (from view once installed) area first.

I'm hoping to test of bunch of cleaning method once I get my new shop built (ya I know) so I can compare the final look. Planning to cut and intake in at least eight sections in a way that all the pieces can be reassembled for comparison. That way they are all starting with the same condition in the beginning

[DGSOH]

Just consider when you make your choices that chemicals and types of metal (think brushes) can react with the base aluminum and often produce unwanted results. As many have found out you can't reverse some of these choices - in the search for reproducing the original look - so consider everything and test on another intake or a hidden (from view once installed) area first.

I'm hoping to test of bunch of cleaning method once I get my new shop built (ya I know) so I can compare the final look. Planning to cut and intake in at least eight sections in a way that all the pieces can be reassembled for comparison. That way they are all starting with the same condition in the beginning

Exactly the reason for my raising this question Jeff. I've ruined more pieces of aluminum (not car parts) than I care to remember looking for a quick easy clean and polish.

I'll go with the household cleaner and see where I land before moving to something else.

Thanks.

[DGSOH]

And while I'm at it - should I use the same torque spec as the iron manifold when reinstalling or something else?

Thanks.

[Greg]

If you do decide to glass bead a part, you can reduce the shine by using purple power and a scotch bright but be careful not to leave the purple power on it for more than an hour as it is a caustic agent.  Rinse clean with water and be sure to take the heat shield off and clean under it.

[Bob Gaines]

I ended up using brake cleaner and a wire brush, and it worked out great

Wire brush will clean but will give a non original look to the metal . The OP is after a original look along with cleaning. I would highly discourage using a wire brush because of that.