Sandblasting the Saginaw steering box question

[JWW]

I'm getting ready to send out the stearing gear to be sand blasted. I have been using purple power and hosing off to help get the grease off.

Any one know of any special care I need to take before sending to be sand blasted? Do I need to plug the power steering hose holes? Any other parts need to be covered prior to sandblasting?

If the holes need to be plugged, anyone know the thread type?



Thanks

[Mr-Dyslexic]

If I ever blast anything I make sure I have access to blow all the sand out with out any doubt. I plug or mask anything where the blast material could get in any moving parts (bearings, gears, hinges). Basically anything where the blast material will get in and will cause damage, grinding or a bind.

[JWW]

Thanks

[motzingg]

those should be 5/16 inverted flare if i'm not mistaken, maybe the low pressure return will be 3/8 inv. flare. they will plug with 1/2-20 bolt or set screw, or you can jam a vacuum cap of the appropriate size in there upside down.

personally, if i was going to take the time to sandblast the PS box, i'd at the very least tear it down and replace gaskets and seals... i'm sure the inside isnt any cleaner than the outside. best yet tear it all down and have it hot-tanked, you probably won't even have to sand blast it at all.

[JWW]

I'll look into it. I've never done anything like that before. I was looking to send it out to be blasted.

It would be a shame to have it blasted and it leak.

[motzingg]

I didn't watch this because i'm at work, but it might give you a good idea all of what's involved.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=661ov4GIXAA

usually when i watch youtube videos before tearing something down, i take them with a grain of salt... maybe find someone that's done a writeup or watch a couple to confirm.

don't forget to take pictures when you tear it down so you can remember 2 weeks later when your junk comes back from the shop all clean and looking totally different.

based on my crude understanding of whats involved in these things its probably a 2/5 for difficulty. i bet you can figure it out!

[JWW]

Thanks. I'll take a look.

I'm debating on punting and just turning this one in as a core and getting a rebuilt one. I found one I think will work just fine. I figured by the time I pay to have it blasted and new parts to rebuild + the risk of me messing something up, it would be worth it to get a rebuild.

Advance will take my core and send it off.