Engine sandblasting.
 

Just thought I'd share how I setup an engine for blasting. I went ahead and replaced all the gaskets and used the good black rtv to put them on, the sandblaster won't touch the black rtv so there's no fear of any sand getting in. For the vent I used a spare cover and filled the vent hole with jb weld and put some duck tape on the outside just for some extra protection, the sandblaster won't go through the duck tape either. For the exhaust and intake I used rubber expandable plugs, I started off with the plug in the elbow but a quick spin of the engine revealed a leak where it meets the block so I removed the elbow and plugged the block directly. For the dipstick I used a big bolt that fit snug in the hole, I put a little rtv on it before putting it in and wrapped some tape around it for a little extra insurance. I removed the points and plunger and made a plate for there and sealed it up with a little rtv, as you can see I left the flywheel and basket pulley on which will protect the seals from being hit directly with the blaster. I wrapped the head with tape because it's already been bead blasted and I don't want it getting hit with the courser sand I will be using. Hope this helps

Um...Ya might want to degrease that block 1st
Sand will just bounce off that hard baked on grease.
Myself, I'd never sandblast a block.

The big blaster we have takes it right off, it took all of about 5 minutes to blast the engine. On your engines you can do what you want but as long as its sealed up good it wont hurt a thing, every tractor we restore gets the engine sandblasted after its rebuilt and we've never had an issue and we're talking well over 100 engines.

yeah there's no issues doing it this way if it's done the way Tim has shown. Dont knock it until you try it. Very tedious with all the nooks and crannies that there are any other way.

I'm a fan. Not that it matters but I have also done it as well as a transmission. If the precautions are taken it's all good.

The Onan boys salt blast their engines. Never tried that but they say the salt won't harm the bearings.:bigthink:

Soda blast?

Cool! Thanks for showing us how!!:beerchug:

I never sand blast a engine block, always use wire wheel+degreaser and sometime hot tank. Sand cant dissolve and even the best filter don't catch everything. Kohler K series don't have filter system that's why they require non detergent oil or today new synthetic oil.

I'm not confident enough to try your method Tim unless you use walnut/almond shell or maybe soda but sand or glass look pretty scary to me! Now what kind of coating you have in mind for this engine? I know you got a nice oven now so is it powder coating or maybe ceramic coating? For us poor home DIY solution are limited to high temp paint (Primer/color/clear) like VHT or maybe a cheap Eatwood powder coat system and solar lamp:Huh:

PS: Link for Mr "Average Joe" to VHT site and a abrasive gun to try media blasting for cheap has dirt..

http://www.vhtpaint.com/high-heat/vht-engine-enamel
http://www.eastwood.com/blast-out-of...asive-gun.html

would love to see some 'after' pics, both pre finish and post finish. (and what type of finish do you use?)

The yellow is case/IH irongard and the black is 1200° hi temp.