Block Burn

Posted July 15th, 2025

Deep-Clean Engine Block Restoration at Fastime Performance: Burn It. Blast It. Shake It. Build It.

When it comes to rebuilding or restoring an engine, cleanliness isn’t optional — it’s critical. At Fastime Performance, we’ve perfected a 3-step engine block cleaning process that removes years of grime, corrosion, and buildup to deliver bare, precision-clean metal ready for inspection, machining, and high-performance assembly.

Here’s how we do it.

Step 1: Burn-Off Cleaning – Incinerate the Contaminants

We start with a high-temperature burn-off process. The engine block is placed in a specially designed oven that reaches 650–800°F, safely burning away:

  • Oil & grease

  • Paint & gasket residue

  • Carbon deposits

  • Grime from years of use

This thermal cleaning method eliminates organic material without using harmful chemicals and prepares the surface for mechanical cleaning. Only raw metal is left behind — but there’s still more work to be done.

Step 2: Shot Peening – Blast It Clean

Next, the block moves to our shot peening system, where high-velocity steel shot or grit media is blasted onto the surface.

This removes:

  • Burned-on scale

  • Rust and corrosion

  • Stubborn residue in open surfaces

The result is a clean, even surface texture that exposes cracks or damage and improves adhesion for coatings or machining tolerances.

Shot peening also helps relieve minor surface stresses and improves fatigue resistance — especially important for performance and racing applications.

Step 3: Shaker Table – Clean Deep into the Block

The final cleaning stage is our shaker table, a vibrating platform filled with abrasive media.

This process:

  • Agitates and dislodges debris deep inside water jackets, oil galleries, and internal cavities

  • Breaks loose ash and carbon that blasting can’t reach

  • Ensures no leftover debris is trapped where it can cause future engine failure

This is the detail that sets Fastime Performance apart — we don’t just clean what you can see. We make sure the whole block is clean, inside and out.

Why It Matters

A clean engine block isn't just about appearances. It ensures:

  • Accurate inspection (especially for crack detection)

  • Better machine shop results (boring, decking, honing)

  • Long-term performance and reliability

  • Reduced chance of premature failure or contamination

Whether you're restoring a vintage block or prepping a high-horsepower build, our process gives you the perfect foundation.

Additional Reading:

Ready to Build on Clean?

Fastime Performance is trusted by engine builders, racers, and restoration shops who demand the best. If you're looking for professional-grade block cleaning, we're here to help.

Burn it. Blast it. Shake it. Build it.
Only at Fastime Performance — where engines get a second life.