Rebuilding the 170 in the '60 V200 wagon right now. Engine was crudded-up beyond what I thought was possible - and to still run! Holy crap...literally.

In cleaning and hot-tanking, I discovered some of the engine parts like the valve cover, the air cleaner, etc. had more rust on them than I previously realized. All covered by red paint and grime. I could take a wire wheel to them to remove the rust and scale, but it's laborious.

Recently I have discovered electrolysis as a very nice way to clean iron and steel without a ton of effort - but only if the metal to be cleaned isn't galvanized. While galvanized parts can be cleaned this way, their protective coatings would flake off and most likely off-gas - not good.

Are any of the stock parts of the engine, like the oil pan and the valve cover (specifically) galvanized metal? Or are they just formed steel? For simple formed steel parts, electrolysis will be a good process to clean them without a terrible effort. Just wanted to check before I throw them in the electrolysis bath.

Sidebar: obviously, I won't use Electrolysis cleaning on engine parts subject to stresses and pressures. I understand Hydrogen Embrittlement could result.

AFAIK, the only galvanized part is the converter cover on the trans. Valve cover, timing cover, and pan are all painted steel.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

If any sheet metal parts were plated it would co$t Mopar extra money.

Richard

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Thanks guys. I figured as much but didn't want to chance it unless I knew for sure.