• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Fox How to clean underside of lower intake?

  • Thread starter Thread starter James V
  • Start date Start date Feb 2, 2020

James V

5 Year Member
Feb 26, 2017
409
144
63
Connecticut
Feb 2, 2020
#1
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • #1
About to reassemble my engine and before I put the lower intake back on I was wondering if I should clean the underside of it and if so what do I use to clean it? (I know I still need to remove the old gaskets)

 

Redfire Fox

Active Member
Dec 29, 2011
56
26
39
Feb 2, 2020
#2
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • #2
Buy a degreaser and carb cleaner and use a wire brush?
 

stanglx2002

CT Material here
15 Year Member
Jul 7, 2005
1,563
1,110
164
Feb 2, 2020
#3
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • #3
Oven Cleaner

Leave it on for about 5-10 minutes, scrub, rinse, and repeat until clean.
 
Reactions: 90sickfox

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,300
1,642
214
Acworth, GA
Feb 2, 2020
#4
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • #4
Looks like it missed a few oil changes. Is it just caked on there, or is it like that in other places as well?

Kurt
 

James V

5 Year Member
Feb 26, 2017
409
144
63
Connecticut
Feb 2, 2020
#5
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • #5
revhead347 said:
Looks like it missed a few oil changes. Is it just caked on there, or is it like that in other places as well?

Kurt
Click to expand...

It's pretty caked on. Old overused oil does that? When I took off the lower intake it was using the original 26 year old Ford gasket so it was definitely time to get in there and change it and clean.
 

96pushrod

I think they're a little easier to get off
5 Year Member
May 15, 2018
1,530
871
133
Savannah
Feb 2, 2020
#6
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • #6
stanglx2002 said:
Oven Cleaner

Leave it on for about 5-10 minutes, scrub, rinse, and repeat until clean.
Click to expand...
Nothing works quite as good as the $1/can oven cleaner you get from the dollar store.

I also like this stuff called black maxx. It can be found at some auto parts stores. Stuff is strong as hell.
 
Reactions: General karthief and James V

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,300
1,642
214
Acworth, GA
Feb 3, 2020
#7
  • Feb 3, 2020
  • #7
James V said:
It's pretty caked on. Old overused oil does that? When I took off the lower intake it was using the original 26 year old Ford gasket so it was definitely time to get in there and change it and clean.
Click to expand...

Yup, that looks like typical oil sludge from a lack of oil changes. The oil builds up in that gooey mess when it brakes down. If it's just on the bottom of the intake, I wouldn't worry about it. If the valley of the engine under the intake has that much sludge in it, it's not good. I mean, there is nothing you can really do about it, but that's what it is. The sludge is not the problem, it's the bearings and rings that have been running on spent oil that causes the problem.

Kurt
 
Reactions: James V

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,300
1,642
214
Acworth, GA
Feb 3, 2020
#8
  • Feb 3, 2020
  • #8
96pushrod said:
Nothing works quite as good as the $1/can oven cleaner you get from the dollar store.

I also like this stuff called black maxx. It can be found at some auto parts stores. Stuff is strong as hell.
Click to expand...

I haven't done the oven cleaner yet. I wonder if you through the intake in the oven and put it on self clean? What do you think? I have soaked metal parts in carb cleaner and lit them on fire before.

Kurt
 
Reactions: General karthief

96pushrod

I think they're a little easier to get off
5 Year Member
May 15, 2018
1,530
871
133
Savannah
Feb 3, 2020
#9
  • Feb 3, 2020
  • #9
revhead347 said:
I haven't done the oven cleaner yet. I wonder if you through the intake in the oven and put it on self clean? What do you think? I have soaked metal parts in carb cleaner and lit them on fire before.

Kurt
Click to expand...
I definitely wouldn’t recommend putting it in the oven. Just a quick soak in the flaky oven cleaner and a pressure washer does wonders
 
Reactions: General karthief and revhead347

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,300
1,642
214
Acworth, GA
Feb 3, 2020
#10
  • Feb 3, 2020
  • #10
As I understand it, the key is to have a water valve right off your water heater feeding the pressure washer. I haven't installed one yet, but hot water makes all the difference.

Kurt
 

Rdub6

So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues
5 Year Member
Dec 29, 2017
3,954
2,936
153
Long Island, NY
Feb 3, 2020
#11
  • Feb 3, 2020
  • #11
revhead347 said:
I haven't done the oven cleaner yet. I wonder if you through the intake in the oven and put it on self clean? What do you think? I have soaked metal parts in carb cleaner and lit them on fire before.

Kurt
Click to expand...

Maybe while the wife was out shopping
But I wouldnt dare try that in my kitchen if I know what’s good for me.
 
Reactions: revhead347
K

kendawg73

Well-Known Member
Feb 5, 2014
474
102
64
Feb 4, 2020
#12
  • Feb 4, 2020
  • #12
stanglx2002 said:
Oven Cleaner

Leave it on for about 5-10 minutes, scrub, rinse, and repeat until clean.
Click to expand...
I agree... I tried degresser and brush but would never get it all off... used the oven cleaner and it goes to town on that nastiness... just make sure you rinse it off really good... heard it can eat alum if left on... cleaned off all that old oil tarnish inside my oil pan too... looked new when I was done... also used it to clean the inside of my upper... again degresser wouldn't clean it, and I even used a pressure washer..
 
Last edited: Feb 5, 2020

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,254
17,937
224
Massachusetts
Feb 4, 2020
#13
  • Feb 4, 2020
  • #13
This will take the paint off a battleship. I used it to clean the carbon off my pistons.

Amazon product ASIN B00BV4D97KView: https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Chrysler-Accessories-4318001AD-Combustion/dp/B00BV4D97K/ref=asc_df_B00BV4D97K/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583451663450074&psc=1
 
Reactions: James V and revhead347
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Fox won't crank over and fuel pump won't kick on.
  • djj62478
  • Jun 7, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
16
Views
329
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 11, 2026
General karthief
W
how to clean stainless headers?
  • waxman
  • Jan 11, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
259
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 27, 2026
limp
Engine Explorer - Lower intake internal cleaning
  • R82148V
  • Nov 11, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
42
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 6, 2025
rednotch
O
Sooty/Oily Front Engine & Pulleys
  • ozenator
  • Jun 15, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
272
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 22, 2026
Blackhawkxx
Engine Cleaning Intake valves with lower intake off
  • R82148V
  • Mar 4, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
13
Views
437
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 11, 2026
limp
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?