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Anybody else blast Motors ??

2854 Views 10 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  RoKa.ARG, 
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Lately we've been getting asked to blast engine blocks on some big Diesel's. We have done over a dozen this year, the guys have them out and disassembled, we have had good luck using a 30/60 glass.
Soda would be the choose of the day, but you got to remember I live in Maine And Everything has RUST... Lol I was just wondering if anyone else does motors too, and to share some pictures or info on there projects..

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Hello Dyer,

That seems like an interesting Job you are doing there. I never thought you could do dry blasting on an engine due to particles getting into the engine or damaging seals etc.
Do you paint the engines as well or after you do the blasting Job they get stripped and reconditioned?

Regards,
Dan
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I thought that's where soda blasting would come in handy figuring what little that could get in motor would be less likely to score/plug up anything.
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Well that's a good question, and was mine to the first one we did some a few years ago.
Most of the ones that I do are getting rebuilt or out for service jobs.
We do not shoot directly at the seals, but going over quick seems to work.
Plugging all holes, tape and seal every little opening is the key. I would not just blast a motor with open holes (even with soda)
and got to add that on the open area's we use a #6 nozzle at 70 psi, but change to a #3 with 50 psi for tight areas.

I live in the north (Maine USA) every thing has rust and the soda that works on some things will not take off rust.

We have tried walnut, soda, glass and dry ice on these things, and the only thing that works is the fine glass.

Glass beads I gave not tried yet but would work I think...
I was just wondering If anyone else has attempted to do the motors?

I have to say again ... Plugging all holes, tape and seal every little opening is the key
We have done well over 2 dozen with no call backs or damage (non reported back to us ) and I always ask my customers for feed back good or bad so we know and learn better ways
The guys are told of the dangers of using a abrasive grit and most are fine.

I guess the guys after paint ( I don't do the paint ) and get it running, they change the oil after a very short time of running it.
They fire it up run just long enuff to get the oil pumping and circulating then drain and refill
The next time it's changed a few hours then drained again then it goes into service
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This is what will not come off with soda or walnut

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Anybody Else Blast Motors ??

I just did a engine using Starblast and it came out fine. The customer is going to make a table out of it so there was no need to tape or seal off holes. They are going to use the pistons as legs..
I asked them to send me a picture of it when its done.
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Hey that's a big motor. We do lots of motorcycles, even some Harley motors out here. Lots and lots of scooters (vespas usually). Jetskis, passenger vehicles...

Like you we put out a big disclaimer and do a good job stopping up all the holes with rages, tape etc. Even better is if they do it themselves for obvious reasons. Thanks for sharing.

EDIT: Oh forgot to say what we use. Mostly we use GL40 Olivine which leaves about a 20 micron roughness on the surface. Most customer like the blast peened finish of the glass beads (fine, 100-200 microns) so we do that after the Olivine, or straight away.
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Re: Anybody Else Blast Motors ??

I do this a lot with racing motors I don't have the rust to deal with so much But I went on a bunch of the racing supply sites and found plastic plugs to put in all the holes Best part is with soda you can use them over again Been told they like the it looks better then the hot washer builders use And its great for checking for cracks
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Pytheas Group said:
Hey that's a big motor. We do lots of motorcycles, even some Harley motors out here. Lots and lots of scooters (vespas usually). Jetskis, passenger vehicles...

Like you we put out a big disclaimer and do a good job stopping up all the holes with rages, tape etc. Even better is if they do it themselves for obvious reasons. Thanks for sharing.

EDIT: Oh forgot to say what we use. Mostly we use GL40 Olivine which leaves about a 20 micron roughness on the surface. Most customer like the blast peened finish of the glass beads (fine, 100-200 microns) so we do that after the Olivine, or straight away.
Click to expand...
I've done a lot of cycle motors to with soda, most the time i feel I'm just cleaning the motors with soda, but hey there paying me for it and I do what the customer ask...

I usually put out to the customer to try washing them first before they pay me, this may sound like i'm giving the job away but sometimes if i don't get the job i get the frame and tanks to do later on.

I have a reputation with my customers that I dont BS them, tell them like it is! if i feel that they can (and want to) clean up the job them selves and it will come out just as good as if i did it, great for them. they always call back with more to do because I helped them out.
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K
i use crushed glass and low pressure
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R
interesting... looks like they remove the grease and oil before sending it to you ?
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