Cleaning engine head

[x Spades x]

Hey Everyone.

I'm swapping a used S54 engine into my M3. I have 288/280 cams and followers from my old engine, that I need to swap in to the replacemt motor. By doing, ill basically have to disassemble the entire head..

While the head is disassembled, I'd like to plug up all holes,, clean the oil off the head (brake clean, etc).

Is this a common practice? If so, do you guys advise and what products do you use?

Thanks,
Kareem

[sapote]

Is this a common practice? If so, do you guys advise and what products do you use?

I think it does more harm than good. Why do you need to clean the head internal? Are you talking the valves, cams area and not the combustions?

[eacmen]

Hey Everyone.

I'm swapping a used S54 engine into my M3. I have 288/280 cams and followers from my old engine, that I need to swap in to the replacemt motor. By doing, ill basically have to disassemble the entire head..

While the head is disassembled, I'd like to plug up all holes,, clean the oil off the head (brake clean, etc).

Is this a common practice? If so, do you guys advise and what products do you use?

Thanks,
Kareem

would not recommend. If you scrape off too much of that sludge buildup some of it will end up getting circulated through the oil passages.

If you’re concerned about the cleanliness of the head use an oil with good detergent pack and do short oil change intervals until you’re happy.


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[digger]

If you want to clean the head you really need to remove it from block to do it thoroughly / properly

[heinzboehmer]

If you're stripping it down most of the way and want it cleaned, might as well remove it from the block and get it hot tanked. Also good excuse to do the head gasket and check straightness of everything.

[x Spades x]

I think it does more harm than good. Why do you need to clean the head internal? Are you talking the valves, cams area and not the combustions?

Yes, just the cams area. Figured everything is going to be taken apart, and the head free of clutter... so why not

[x Spades x]

Thanks for the feedback Everyone!!!
I'll leave well enough alone, :-)

[sapote]

Yes, just the cams area. Figured everything is going to be taken apart, and the head free of clutter... so why not

The head is washed with clean filtered oil when engine running, so no reason to concern except seeing the stain.

[EthanolTurbo]

Make sure to do the head gasket. S54 head gaskets fail after 100-200k miles, might as well get it out of the way now.

[x Spades x]

Make sure to do the head gasket. S54 head gaskets fail after 100-200k miles, might as well get it out of the way now.

Head is staying on the engine. I just have the valve cover, ca.s, rockers out so the head is pretty open if I were to attempt to clean it. Thats why I asked