Topic: Walnut blasting an assembled engine, good idea or am I asking for trouble??

[manjisann]

I had originally planned on taking the top half of my engine apart redoing all the seals and walnut blasting/painting it. At this point though I am thinking I should just leave well enough alone and leave the engine intact. I've never had it running myself but it doesn't look like it leaks oil real bad. Besides with the luck i've been having I'd probably just break something expensive or the like.

I hate the idea of putting a nappy looking engine back into a repainted frame and body work. So here is the question. If I plug up all the exhaust intake and various other holes, can I just blast the engine while it is assembled?

Thanks,

Brandon

[technojock]

If you securely plug up all the oil breather ports, intakes and exhaust it should be fine.  After that blow it off with compressed air.  Be sure and do this outside then wheel the bike back in to resume work.

Walnut shells are very tame compared to glass beads.

Tony

[toycollector10]

Re your comments about your engine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That is rule number one.

Just freshen up the engine casings and castings and away you go.

[turboguzzi]

I believe the blaster will hate you and have you paying for handling five times the weight...

[Beans]

My guy who does all my blasting said he wouldn't blast mine if it was still together he told me only the case. but hey I bet a few beers and he will.

[bucky katt]

better than bead or sand blasting a fully assembled engine but i still wouldnt recomend it

[manjisann]

I believe the blaster will hate you and have you paying for handling five times the weight...

Well since I am the blaster and it's on an engine stand, I think I'll be OK. 

Re your comments about your engine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That is rule number one.

I haven't had it running yet as I planned on just tearing it apart anyhow. Since these old beauties are notorious for weeping oil out of the galley's I'd just figured I'd redo all the seals. But with all the luck I'm having I'd probably break something expensive  Plus the build is over budget so I am trying to figure out where I can cut expenses and still be happy with it. I just hate the idea of redoing the paint on everything else real nice and not spiffying up the engine.

better than bead or sand blasting a fully assembled engine but i still wouldn't recommend it

Assuming that I plug all orifices that lead into the engine (hehe I said orifice) what is the negative to blasting an assembled engine? I am just wondering if I am missing something key.

What is the best way to plug the intake and exhaust ports?

Thanks everyone,

Brandon

[lrutt]

I've sand blasted an assembled guzzi, 750, and MG TD engine. All with no problems. Just have to very securely plug exhause, intake, tach, and oil ports. The thoroughly clean it off after. They all have a LOT of miles on them since, no problems.

I painted the 750 and MG TD engines, left the Guzzi engine raw. All is well.

I also soda blasted some wheels. It's more expensive but a viable option and will not harm anything if by chance it does get in the motor.