Engine Explorer - Lower intake internal cleaning

R82148V · Nov 11, 2025

Hello everyone,

Simple question but can't find a simple solution.
I recently purchased a 95 upper and lower explorer intake from ebay that looked great! Only to find out, especially the lower, needs a really good cleaning internally.
It has the baffle riveted on which i really don't want to take off. I got the gasket mating surfaces really clean but what can I use to soak or clean the valley?
Here's a pic before the gaskets surfaces were cleaned.
I cant find anything online that give a definite answer so I thought I would ask all you professionals!!

What do you think??!

Noobz347 · Nov 11, 2025

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/chem-dip/berryman-chem-dip-5-gallon-parts-cleaner/bry3/0905

nickyb · Nov 11, 2025

X2 berryman.

evintho · Nov 11, 2025

If you don't want to spend a small fortune on Chem-Dip and you don't have a parts washer, get a pan big enough to set the manifold in, buy an engine cleaning brush kit from HF and a gallon of Purple Power from HD. You should be able to scrub underneath the baffle and reach up inside each runner with the brush kit. Just don't leave the manifold soaking in the Purple Power for too long. It's pretty caustic and may start to eat the aluminum.

Engine cleaning brush kit

Purple Power (1 gal)

rednotch · Nov 11, 2025

The cheapy route..... Dollar store oven cleaner let soak, then pressure washer, and if your state isn't A communist nanny ass kisser aluminium brightener from Napa or orileys then another rinse off... Should look about new when done.

R82148V · Nov 12, 2025

evintho said:
If you don't want to spend a small fortune on Chem-Dip and you don't have a parts washer, get a pan big enough to set the manifold in, buy an engine cleaning brush kit from HF and a gallon of Purple Power from HD. You should be able to scrub underneath the baffle and reach up inside each runner with the brush kit. Just don't leave the manifold soaking in the Purple Power for too long. It's pretty caustic and may start to eat the aluminum.

Engine cleaning brush kit

Purple Power (1 gal)

I was against it, but I decided to take the rivets out to make cleaning access better and I'm glad I did. Under the baffle, it was really caked on and had to be scraped before soaking and scrubbing.

After researching about the rivets, I've learned they actually have threads and can be twisted out. I took vise grips and they actually twisted out pretty easily which was scary. After cleaning, I'll reuse the rivets and twist them back in.

What is the best threadlocker for something like this that's heat, vibration and oil resistant and most likely permanent?

Mustang5L5 · Nov 12, 2025

Red threadlocker would be best.

On mine, i had Tmoss port it but he took that baffle off. Instead of reusing the rivets, he tapped the holes for 1/4-20 and installed bolts with red threadlocker.

R82148V · Nov 12, 2025

Mustang5L5 said:
Red threadlocker would be best.

On mine, i had Tmoss port it but he took that baffle off. Instead of reusing the rivets, he tapped the holes for 1/4-20 and installed bolts with red threadlocker.

+ on the red
oh great idea!
I do like that better with installing bolt. would make a tighter fit as well. The rivets came out too easy i feel.

when using the threadlocker, you just clean the bolts and holes with rubbing alcohol, apply the locker, tighten the bolts and thats it?
Dumb question, but i never used threadlocker belore.

rednotch · Nov 12, 2025

Nutcerts kits are cheap as hell now if you don't like rivets and don't want to tap it.

R82148V · Nov 12, 2025

rednotch said:
Nutcerts kits are cheap as hell now if you don't like rivets and don't want to tap it.

what in the world is that? I have to look that up.. haha
forget what I just said.. I just looked it up and I do know what it is.. haha great idea also!!!

Noobz347 · Nov 12, 2025

LIke this:

https://www.amazon.com/GIANTISAN-16-Inch-Mandrels-Assortment-Carrying/dp/B07VPB676Y/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=CNFDW0H6TI1B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VzveRtYuHwMSJSNnUhyMTJLx3TCxyx6qKhf4ih7-655CR8cbEdMZ-9Lz6CGjFSf6JVzK_E8h2MKRAr8C372n6lcrJ4TnPlMG3WWwhM_lyAjEfDn4Bh5vhDch8XNfoF6qxA5OE9Zr7pV3UBKegw4paFEeJaeUYbkVouOxDXaL0nxJNTu4S-ewhxO_5LZ4qM3FarfEhaxXqHXOypDqsMBOQBXyPZ1G0_DlTiheeRzoH1c.8M-xOLLQ6DnjzB1lsNuVNcoM-NXjEewvMDi_6yltSV4&dib_tag=se&keywords=nutsert&qid=1762961856&sprefix=nutcer%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

rednotch · Nov 12, 2025

Noobz347 said:
LIke this:

https://www.amazon.com/GIANTISAN-16-Inch-Mandrels-Assortment-Carrying/dp/B07VPB676Y/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=CNFDW0H6TI1B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VzveRtYuHwMSJSNnUhyMTJLx3TCxyx6qKhf4ih7-655CR8cbEdMZ-9Lz6CGjFSf6JVzK_E8h2MKRAr8C372n6lcrJ4TnPlMG3WWwhM_lyAjEfDn4Bh5vhDch8XNfoF6qxA5OE9Zr7pV3UBKegw4paFEeJaeUYbkVouOxDXaL0nxJNTu4S-ewhxO_5LZ4qM3FarfEhaxXqHXOypDqsMBOQBXyPZ1G0_DlTiheeRzoH1c.8M-xOLLQ6DnjzB1lsNuVNcoM-NXjEewvMDi_6yltSV4&dib_tag=se&keywords=nutsert&qid=1762961856&sprefix=nutcer%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

That's like 20 bucks on temu. Once you start using those things you wonder why it took so long to buy one..... First set of fox door handles I did decades ago we used the body shops big $ money kit so never driling rivets if they failed again, now there dirt cheap. Just used mine to remount the battery box in the 79 coupe i picked up.

Mustang5L5 · Nov 12, 2025

R82148V said:
when using the threadlocker, you just clean the bolts and holes with rubbing alcohol, apply the locker, tighten the bolts and thats it?
Dumb question, but i never used threadlocker belore.

It's like glue. Tab some on the threads, bolt in the bolt, and let it dry before doing anything with the part. Red will require heat to remove. Open flame sort of heat.

Blue is a little weaker and for stuff you do want to remove without heat. This is absolutely a red situation

R82148V · Nov 12, 2025

Mustang5L5 said:
It's like glue. Tab some on the threads, bolt in the bolt, and let it dry before doing anything with the part. Red will require heat to remove. Open flame sort of heat.

Blue is a little weaker and for stuff you do want to remove without heat. This is absolutely a red situation

Is loctite primer needed/ required? And, is there a special metal type of bolt to use so they don't rust or does it matter?

Mustang5L5 · Nov 12, 2025

That area will be coated in oil. You don't need to worry about rust.

No primer needed. You really don't need much. Just put a dab on the threads and screw it in.

Amazon.com

You will need to tap hole first obviously.

R82148V · Nov 12, 2025

Mustang5L5 said:
That area will be coated in oil. You don't need to worry about rust.

No primer needed. You really don't need much. Just put a dab on the threads and screw it in.

Amazon.com

You will need to tap hole first obviously.

Ok the is perfect! Thank you!
Do you think using button-head allan screws are strong enough with red?

Mustang5L5 · Nov 12, 2025

Yes. Don’t need to go crazy.

Noobz347 · Nov 12, 2025

R82148V said:
Ok the is perfect! Thank you!
Do you think using button-head allan screws are strong enough with red?

Be careful with internal wrenching screws and bolts. Once they strip, U-R-F'd.

If you can find some that are internal wrenching and also 12-point external wrenching, then you have a safety net for extraction.

R82148V · Nov 13, 2025

Noobz347 said:
Be careful with internal wrenching screws and bolts. Once they strip, U-R-F'd.

If you can find some that are internal wrenching and also 12-point external wrenching, then you have a safety net for extraction.

ahhh that makes total sense. they do tend to stripe internally when i think about it. I'll look for what you are saying..
Thanks!!

KRUISR · Nov 13, 2025

Don't forget you will be installing these bolts once. You will likely NEVER take them out again. Just install them with the proper tool and forget about them.

Engine Explorer - Lower intake internal cleaning

R82148V

Active Member

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

evintho

rednotch

I'd like to remain having one chocolate starfish

R82148V

Active Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

R82148V

Active Member

rednotch

I'd like to remain having one chocolate starfish

R82148V

Active Member

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

rednotch

I'd like to remain having one chocolate starfish

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

R82148V

Active Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

R82148V

Active Member

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

R82148V

Active Member

KRUISR

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Engine Explorer - Lower intake internal cleaning

Active Member

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever

I'd like to remain having one chocolate starfish

Active Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Active Member

I'd like to remain having one chocolate starfish

Active Member

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

I'd like to remain having one chocolate starfish

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Active Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Active Member

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

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