Topic: Head port cleaning question

[illrational]

How do i clean ports with out remove valve seats on 77 cb550

[dave500]

do you mean without removing the actual valves?the valave seat is the hard steel insert that remains in the head when the valves are removed,cleaning them with the valves still in is only half a job,you could scrape and wire brush then air blow them out but soot will remain trapped on the valve stems and heads.

[illrational]

I removed valves but stem are still presses in

[dave500]

thats cool those are the valves guides,they can stay put if they arent worn,just find some wire brushes that fit down the ports and on a power drill,then carefully buzz the carbon off,a small screw driver can also be use to dislodge some stubborn stuff,wear glasses man!,,do the valves as well with those brushes,make sure the valve guides are really clean before the valves go back together,little pipe cleaners or an .177 air rifle cleaning brush will work here,new guide seals and reassemble.

[illrational]

hey dave can i score the ports using a wire brush, especially the ones that i see at home depot

[dave500]

a little sratching wont hurt.

[Danno]

I use a shot gun cleaning brush set on mine they are brass i also dip them in sea foam before i use them and while  you are doing it b12 chem tool really helps the carbon brake loose most rifle and shot gun brushes come in sections that can be chucked up in a drill like dave suggested

[dave500]

i shoot the sand blaster through them,if you so equipped.

[illrational]

im going to sand blast it along with the case on saturday...any tips and precautions i should take dave?

[dave500]

just dont hit any gasket sealing areas or the actual seats with the sand,i then soapy steel wool where ive cleaned and blow dry,inspect and chip any stuff missed close to sensitive spots with a scribe or tiny screw driver,wash and blow again,no shop will wash and clean as well as you will,clean and dry the guides well and oil them.

[MRieck]

You better put bolts in every threaded hole. I assume you are using glas bead.

[dave500]

once again,,clean well.

[illrational]

Sand....so tape up journals and basket area

[dave500]

are you going to blast the entire head?as if to paint it?,,what ever you do just clean it well,, twice,,again,,no shop will clean as well as you will.full stop......attention to detail is a lost art,,cleaning is a long lost art.

[BAchvytrk]

any areas you are going to tape off, clean first with brake clean and dry well, this will insure the tape sticks well. I like to use duct tape, holds up better than masking tape when blasting. if you're taping off around a machined area, say where the valve cver gasket goes, you can just lay the tape down, and instead of trying to cut or trim to fit then, just lightly, very lightly tap along the machined edge with a ball peen hammer and it will cut the tape so you have a nice even edge.

[illrational]

Good stuff fellas and hopefully Dave I won't be over my head