Cleaning intake ports on engine

[Guest]

I want to make sure that I have the cleanest, smoothest contact for my intake boots, so I want to clean the area that they slip over on the engine, but I don't want to damage it at all.

What would you guys recommend? Scotchbright? Simple green? Harsher? Gentler?

Thanks,
~Mike

[t3rmin]

Clean it with as harsh a chemical as you want, just make sure you get it all off and spray it with, say, WD-40 before installing to protect the rubber. Can o' carb cleaner is my favorite all-around super-duper cleaner.

[UncleMike]

Do I have to worry about what I use as the abrasive? Will a scotchbright pad hurt it? Would 0000 steel wool be better?

Thanks,
~Mike

[t3rmin]

I dunno... I don't think you'd want to use anything that would score the surface too bad. I'd say spray it down with carb cleaner and wipe down with a paper towel. Not sure why you'd need any more than that...

[bwringer]

Just be careful not to get any bits of whatever in the intake...

[UncleMike]

Just be careful not to get any bits of whatever in the intake...

Good point. I'll stuff some wadded-up paper towels in there.