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Cleaning aluminum intake on 1980 Corvette

I'm restoring my 1980 Corvette, it has a factory aluminum intake, and it has some discoloration. I want to bring it back to the bright silver look of a new aluminum intake, what is a good thing to clean this with, thanks Tim........I also have a 78 Transam with an aluminum intake on it and it has turned a brownish yellow.. what will clean this type of aluminum.

Tim Wilhelm
automotive - Winston Salem, North Carolina
2004

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Aluminum intakes come out looking like new after they've been sand/bead blasted. Since your question is one of esthetics, we'll assume you intend to take the intake off and clean it properly and, while I recommend against it, with GREAT CARE, PREPARATION AND DESPERATION, you could bead blast it (not sand!) bolted on (but would probably live to regret it).
You would still need to have the carb removed and the ports taped every which way you could.

If it's off, "hot tanking" is an option but as it's aluminum, you should get a guarantee from the machine shop doing the cleaning that their process is safe for aluminum intake manifolds.
Still, nothing compares with the newly revealed finish you'd get from bead blasting. Good luck, rcm

Ron Moody
nook & cranny cleaners - Imperial Beach, Ca.
July 27, 2008