Topic: Oil passageways

[The Gurg]

Hey wanting to make sure these oil passageways are good. I know this topic has been covered before.

My engine went through a parts washer. The engine is currently painted. The passageways don’t appear to have any obstructions, but they aren’t flawless, very slightly grimy. I blew some brake cleaner through the top half of the case and compressed air through everywhere. The brake cleaner didn’t seem to make much of a difference. Do I need to do more? Or am I good?

[Bodi]

In my opinion if a parts washer bath and brake cleaner spray didn't dislodge the "grime", engine oil won't either. And even if you get the insides absolutely clean they will become discolored and "grimy" fairly soon from normal use.

[pjlogue]

I would be hesitant to reassemble an engine that had "grime" in an oil passage.  Was the case/jugs abrasive blasted to clean it before painting?  If so, it is imperative the "grime" be cleaned out.  I use gun cleaning brushes and run them through the passages with plenty of solvent to flush them out, then high pressure air to blow any residue out.  For 90 degree bends use a wire to dislodge the gunk. 

If you know the history of the engine and are confident no contamination got in the engine then you could get away with leaving the grime.  Be aware that if the grime dislodges and plugs the small orifice leading to the head you will be looking at possibly replacing the cam/rockers.

-P.

[The Gurg]

If I uninstalled the countershaft bearing retainer, to get to the oil passageways to clean more. Can I reuse the o-ring that sits at the corner? Or do I need a new o-ring? Don’t know if o-rings get worn out by installing, uninstalling and re-installing.

[The Gurg]

Wasn’t blasted with any salt, glass, etc. just went through the commercial washer.

[pjlogue]

If I uninstalled the countershaft bearing retainer, to get to the oil passageways to clean more. Can I reuse the o-ring that sits at the corner? Or do I need a new o-ring? Don’t know if o-rings get worn out by installing, uninstalling and re-installing.

The O rings get flattened and hard over time.  It's best to replace them.  They are cheap (compared to other items) and easy to replace.  Very cheap insurance.

-P.

[Don R]

  If it was a new o ring and it's not cut, it's fine to re-use it. That said, if you have one replace it for sure.  I'd consider a pressure wash if in doubt about grime. You could run a gun cleaning cloth through and see what comes out on it.

[The Gurg]

Pressure wash isn’t a great option with it having been professionally painted. Plus it already went through a commercial washer. I’ve been running some metal brushes from harbor freight through the passages spraying the brush with brake cleaner between passes. Time consuming but the passages in the top case are now much cleaner.

Now on to the bottom case, the jugs, and the head.

I can’t see where the oil passage channels goes in the head. What’s under the 1mm oilers? Anyone have a cross section?

[The Gurg]

While we are on the subject of the 1mm jets in the head. I am having a hard time understanding how it’s not inevitable that they become plugged. I used engine degreaser and scrubbed for hours before sending the case to the best machine shop in the city to be put through there washer. Came out looking clean, I could eat off it, but I am able to fairly easily flake this piece off of the underside of the top case, exhaust side. Shown next to the jet in the head so you can see how easily it would clog it.

I get that I haven’t done enough cleaning in the oil galley and I’ll do more, but I’ve thoroughly cleaning the area where I got a small flake.

See photo.