Ok dumb question of the day

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by wormwood, Nov 20, 2023.

  1. wormwood

    wormwood Dare to be different

    I'm interested in cleaning my engine parts in the dishwasher. What parts should I not put in there? Are valve guides and seats ok? What about the front seal (neoprene seal)... ok let me have it... I'm ready for all the criticism
     
  2. Briz

    Briz Founders Club Member

    Anything your wife does not know about will fly. I baked headers in the oven and have washed many parts in the DW
     
    Brett Slater likes this.
  3. wormwood

    wormwood Dare to be different

    No more wife to worry about here...
     
  4. wormwood

    wormwood Dare to be different

    So the hot water won't damage the valve seals or front seal?
     
    knucklebusted likes this.
  5. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    No, the water can't get any hotter than the engine will already be running. Since it isn't under pressure, the water can't be above 212°F where as the block, under pressure can have water to 220° without boiling. Also, the heads will heat soak to well over 200° from combustion. Plastic containers don't melt in my dishwasher and that certainly not true if you put them under the hood.

    My question is what are you going to run through it? Are you going to use dishwashing detergent or some special mixture? Curious minds want to know.
     
  6. Matt Knutson

    Matt Knutson Well-Known Member

    I hope you will be replacing all the seals.
     
  7. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    I don’t see any cleaning advantage using the dishwasher.
    You’ll probably ruin it with any carbon and goo that falls off and contaminate the inside, I don’t think I’d use it for washing dishes anymore.
     
    1973gs, CCM and GSX 554 like this.
  8. 72STAGE1

    72STAGE1 STAGE 1 & 2

    Use Cascade triple action, it prevents water spots and no pre- rinse needed!
     
  9. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Lololol, yep nothing more embarrassing at a dinner party than water spots on your crank:p
     
    rjay, 1973gs, wormwood and 2 others like this.
  10. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Some metals do not like the chemicals in modern dish washer deteregent/pods. Aluminium comes to mind. Won't hurt it but it will discolor. I'd use the cheap soap only stuff.
    Using purple power, some brushes, some heat, and power washer will get safer and maybe better results.

    I would only put in plastics that are under the hood, maybe not. I would not do any interior parts.
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2023
  11. RoseBud68

    RoseBud68 Well-Known Member

    Degreaser and a power washer does the trick.
     
    Mark Demko likes this.
  12. wormwood

    wormwood Dare to be different

    I'm most concerned about the valve guides and seats since they have some plastic
     
  13. wormwood

    wormwood Dare to be different

    Ok. I'm thinking iys a no go, my motor failed due to some dirt getting in it, I just want to make sure I get all possible said dirt out from hard to reach places such as in between springs, small bolt holes etc...
     
  14. SpecialWagon65

    SpecialWagon65 Ted Nagel

    LOL that reminds me of when I put my timing chain cover from a 340 through the DW.
    Last thing I washed that way was some turbine wheel covers :)
     

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