How do you clean it?

[orvacian]

What is the secret to cleaning old engine parts easily (especially aluminum)? I need to clean the intake, valve covers, thermostat housing and stuff. I also have a huge pile of bolts that I would like to clean. I used Gunk degreaser but that just gets the surface grime off, the parts still look old. Is there something you can soak them in a bucket that will restore the origional finish?

[ntsqd]

Non clear coated Mag wheel cleaner works really well for this. Specifically look for stuff that has a high concentration of Fluoric Acid in it. And then be G___ D___ careful with the stuff. Fluoric Acid will kill you in high enough concentrations, which isn't very high.
I use it to clean aluminum carb castings and all sorts of stuff. Even use it to put a 'soft' finish on some aluminum weldments.

[Bajatoy]

I just bought a parts washer and put mineral spirits in it and it worked awsome. But I also took a bunch of my parts down to the napa machine shop where he has a vat.(spelling) I didnt think the grime on the inside of the valve cover would ever come off, but that thing was spotless. Worked awsome on alot of parts and he only charged me $10. Was worth it in my eyes to not to have to put all that work into it.