Engine's out - how to degrease / clean if head is off?

[Jeff Elliott]

Well, what started as a simple head gasket job has quickly spiraled into a "while I'm in there" project and I've pulled the motor. Honestly, it needed a rear main and a upper pan re-seal anyway so no biggie (hopefully). I need to pull the head and get it to the machine shop in the next couple of days and, in parallel, need to clean up the grease monster. Would love any suggestions on how to get the multiple decades of funk off the motor as well as what's left behind in the engine bay.

Big thanks to @Fj80oregon, @roadstr6 and @Malleus for their help so far!

 

[MissahPapaJ]

I’d eat gas station sushi off that thing! Nothing some oven cleaner and harbor freight electric power washer can’t handle.

 

[Malleus]

Contact Jared Merritt at Merritt industrial Services. He has a number of dry ice cleaning machines.

 

[Malleus]

BTW, you should have pulled the transmission as well. You can replace the rear heater lines while it's out. And, it's much easier to mate them while they're both out.

LMK if you want to service the transmission while the engine is out. I have an order for an overhaul kit in now and I could add another easily.

 

[Fj80oregon]

Tear the engine down completely, have the machine shop hot tank if and hone the bores, then you can throw a paint job on it. You will want to inspect your bearings anyways. Buy same new NPR rings and you will be looking good.

 

[Jeff Elliott]

Tear the engine down completely, have the machine shop hot tank if and hone the bores, then you can throw a paint job on it. You will want to inspect your bearings anyways. Buy same new NPR rings and you will be looking good.

Man, wasn’t thinking I’d get that deep. This truck has <100k on it. Do I need to go full send here?

 

[76lcmike]

Well, what started as a simple head gasket job has quickly spiraled into a "while I'm in there" project and I've pulled the motor. Honestly, it needed a rear main and a upper pan re-seal anyway so no biggie (hopefully). I need to pull the head and get it to the machine shop in the next couple of days and, in parallel, need to clean up the grease monster. Would love any suggestions on how to get the multiple decades of funk off the motor as well as what's left behind in the engine bay.

Big thanks to @Fj80oregon, @roadstr6 and @Malleus for their help so far!

View attachment 4239664

sounds familiar, strip it. re ring it, head job. re seal everything.