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  Jan. 30, 2011 9:23 p.m. JamesMcD New Reader

  I have to rebuild the motor in my FD, and I need to purchase a parts washer. Does anyone have a recommendation? Are the Harbor Freight $100 ones decent enough?

  What is everyone using?

  Thanks, James

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  Jan. 30, 2011 9:44 p.m. Rad_Capz Reader

  I had one of those for a long time, worked fine. Pump wore out after a couple years and bought a new one for like 20 bucks. Sold it when I moved. wasn't worth transporting it.

  John Paige

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  Jan. 30, 2011 9:48 p.m. JamesMcD New Reader

  I noticed it doesn't come with a brush on the end of the hose. Did you have a problem with that?

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  Jan. 30, 2011 10:00 p.m. EvanR Reader

  Watch Craigslist. Garages go out of business all the time. It's a pretty simple device.

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  Jan. 30, 2011 10:57 p.m. motomoron HalfDork

  +1 on using searchtempest.com to mine Craiglist for "parts washer".

  I scored a real-live genuine Safety-Kleen brand unit sitting atop a VP racing fuel drum. A week later a friend gave me a barrel of Safety-Kleen solvent from his associates kart shop that had just closed.

  It's large and awesome. Deep enough that you can keep a gallon can of carb-dip in the sink.

  I keep a selection of baskets and stainless steel restaurant pans in the sink and don't really like a brush on the end of the discharge hose.

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  Jan. 31, 2011 11:33 a.m. Brett_Murphy Reader

  I have the $100 Harbor unit, and it worked fine for cleaning my 13B. My only complaint is that the power switch was really temperamental until I rewired it.

  If brute force isn't solving your problem, you're not using enough.

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  Feb. 1, 2011 5:10 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

  Well, I've found a jug of lacquer thinner and a big cooking pan are darn hard to beat for cleaning things.

  Don't get me wrong, I love parts cleaners. Just that many of them don't have a very good cleaning solvent. The Harbor Freight ones and the like tend to disolve their pumps or pump seals in good solvents (plastic).

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  Feb. 1, 2011 5:49 a.m. ddavidv SuperDork

  Like most things, bigger is better. Mine holds a small block intake, but a big block trans bellhousing is a bit of a challenge. I've had mine for probably 10 years. I don't use it often, but when I do, I'm so glad I have it. The brush on the hose is best, but you can just use the 'hose' with a separate brush. Make sure you buy protective gloves for parts cleaning. I got a pair at a swap meet that are rubber but the fluid makes the fingers weld together and they have no grip when wet. I find that the fluid is self-cleaning as it evaporates over time. When it's time for a refill I drain what's left and scrape the smegma out before I install fresh.

  Moved to the fastest run group so I can drive "flat out"

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  Feb. 1, 2011 12:20 p.m. ransom New Reader

  In reply to Rad_Capz:

  Where did you get a pump to fit it? Mine's kaput as well...

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