engine cleaning

hey all! Im in the process of cleaning and makin my xj all purdy. My question is what have you all used to get the almost 30 years of oxidation off the area by the center 2 spark plugs? Ive pulled the engine and cleaned the outer portion valve cover and case but I cant get into the deep area with the vertical fins! Ive tried using a piece of alum stock with a slot cut in it and an scotch brite pad but it gets chewed up pretty fast. The stock is a lil over 1/4in in diameter. should i try a smaller diameter or is there a better option? thanks for the help!

 

Since the motor is already out; soda blasting.

 

Fitz is right, soda blast is the way to go, cut 8 pieces of rag 2" x 8" and ram them into the inlet & exhaust ports with a screwdriver, cut a wooden plug for the crankcase breather, roll the wires up & tie them in a freezer bag. If you have the oil cooler, you need to put a 4mm bolt, nut & washers in the holes where the oil lines go.
When you get the motor back, pressure wash the residue, when you pull the damp rags out it will clear the ports.
Now you can set about polishing the cases.

 

So Wiz how about I fly you down all expenses paid and make my engine look like that ?

 

It's fly UP from here & I don't speak French. But seriously it aint that difficult, soda blast clean is the key, the casings take about 2 hours each, if you take them off the bike, you need 4 grades of wet & dry paper, 240 to 800 & a pollishing wheel (just one you can fit in an electric drill.)

 

It's ok I speak English! I know lots of people here in Montreal that only speak English and no problems Quebec is bilingual I just really like what you did to that engine. Mine will go under very good plastic surgery this winter .

 

The first time I was in Montreal, just off the boat, I paid the waitress for a beer & she told me "ze tip is not included". I was heading West anyway. :lol:

 

ahahahahaha