Help with a used Intake Manifold

[mjbarnet]

Bought a used Cobra intake off Ebay. It looks to be in good shape (supposedly had less than 5,000 miles on it), but there is black stuff caked on the inside, and some discolored sticky spots where it bolts to the lower.
How do I clean this, or should I leave it alone? If I take it to a machine shop, what do I need to ask them to do? Can I simply sand lightly where the gaskets go?
thanks!
Mitch

 

[baglock1]

Automotive solvent is your friend. Soak it and take a large bottle brush and scrub away. Some light sanding on the gasket surfaces shouldn't hurt anything but I'd scrap it with a razor first to get off as much as you can.

 

[davins130]

get it hot tanked

 

[95stangGT]

I bought a used intake and the runners were all coated black to. Its just something that will happen anyways. As for the bottom, I used dish soap and an S.O.S pad and it came right off

 

[Soupy]

get it hot tanked

If I remember correctly, aluminum CAN NOT be "hot tanked". Actually, I do not think that any non-ferrous (ferrous=iron content) items can be hot tanked. Good luck.

 

[davins130]

thats what some guy told me when i was about to buy his cobra intake... glad i didnt buy it and take his advice

 

[Joes95GT]

Hot tanking a non-complex part is a waste of money. The black stuff is from the PCV and skank coming back up through the intake valve. There is no need for a machine shop. Squirt half a bottle of Simple Green into it and scrub it with a hard(er) compound brush. It'll turn to new right before your eyes....

Joe