<VV> removing carbon from piston tops (with heads off)

[Ray Rodriguez]

I briefly considered this but was concerned about the wire brush scoring the 
metal, especially the gasket surface of the jug....  are we quite certain 
this is safe.. and if so how soft a wire brush would it require?

P.S. thanks to JR I now know the pistons are Forged as well!  I keep 
uncovering all kinds of pleasant surprises on this car I bought to restore! 
So far I have found: Offenhauser finned aluminum valve covers, clarks finned 
oil pan, 280 isky cam, forged pistons, and Koni adjustable shocks, none of 
which I was aware of when I bought the car.  I overpaid for the car, but all 
these parts have more then made up for it!

Thanks!

Ray
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "D. Barry Ellison" <bars84crx at hotmail.com>
To: <reray at echoes.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 2:03 PM
Subject: RE: <VV> removing carbon from piston tops (with heads off)


>A wire brush on a die grinder works well.  Bring the piston to the top of 
>the jug.  Wire brush away.  Use a tiny small screw driver in a rag to clean 
>between the piston and the jug wall.
>
> Barry in SC
> 2 lates, 2 earlies.
>
>>
>>      Is there any good method or chemical for removing the carbon from 
>> the pistons while they are in the jugs?  I really don't want to take 
>> things any farther apart at this point unless I really need to.
>>
>
>