Gary---I found that a product from NAPA simply called 'Battery Cleaner'
on the aerosol can does a good job in cleaning the posts and cables, and
keeps them clean for a long time. There's no reason to think it wouldn't
work on other places where acid is present. This stuff must neutralise
the acid and lay down something to keep it from reforming for a while.
Baking soda should also work when mixed with water into a workable
paste, brushed on, flushed, then sprinkled dry on the battery shelf.
Spritz it with enough water to make it stick. Best then to put in one of
the battery liners sold by the Big Three, to contain occasional
spillage.
On your second item, I haven't seen TR pistons yet that don't have some
carbon buildup. It's somewhat risky to dislodge these hardened particles
with the pistons still in the block. If you're patient and have enough
time, you could soak this carbon with applicators dipped in lacquer
thinner and left on the piston tops long enough to loosen, then
carefully scrape off what's left behind, trying not to score the piston
tops in the process. If you don't have a high compressioned engine to
where hot-spot detonation could be a problem, I'd let this carbon be,
till the next time there's reason to remove the pistons.
Dick T.
'73
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