Author Topic: Cleaning carbon off 69 shelby exhaust collector and plenum  (Read 1389 times)

Offline Bob Zink

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 70
Does anyone know a good way to remove the carbon and make the collector look new again?  Also, the long aluminum plenum that goes behind the valence has a ton of carbon built up.  I would like to clean that too while it is off the car if anyone can share a good way to do it.  Thanks. 

Offline Bob Gaines

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 9001
Re: Cleaning carbon off 69 shelby exhaust collector and plenum
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2015, 03:29:24 AM »
Does anyone know a good way to remove the carbon and make the collector look new again?  Also, the long aluminum plenum that goes behind the valence has a ton of carbon built up.  I would like to clean that too while it is off the car if anyone can share a good way to do it.  Thanks.
Depending on how built up the carbon is you can use eagle wire wheel or eagle aluminum wash and a stiff plastic brush. Of course wash it off with the hose.  Otherwise beadblast then use the cleaner and brush for a more original look.FYI the inside of the exhaust port is painted black.
« Last Edit: April 15, 2015, 11:59:45 AM by Bob Gaines »
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Offline WT8095

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 940
  • Dave Z.
Re: Cleaning carbon off 69 shelby exhaust collector and plenum
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2015, 01:39:38 PM »
I've used soda blasting to remove carbon deposits from aluminum cylinder heads. It's even less aggressive on the metal than bead blasting. It will take the ink off a pop can without warping it. Not the most cost-effective way to recycle aluminum cans...  :D
Dave Z.

'68 fastback, S-code + C6. Special Paint (Rainbow promotion), DSO 710784. Actual build date 2/7/1968, San Jose.
'69 Cougar convertible, 351W-2V + FMX, Meadowlark Yellow.

Offline J_Speegle

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24232
Re: Cleaning carbon off 69 shelby exhaust collector and plenum
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2015, 11:30:21 PM »
Have used walnut shells - not easy to get though everywhere.
Jeff Speegle

Anything worth doing is worth doing concours ;)