Has anybody hot tanked a good, functional, and complete 8 3/4 sure grip pumpkin? I'm trying to figure out a way to clean mine and thought this may be a good idea. I don'tneed to rebuild it, just clean it.

I assume you mean the assembled differential (aka pig). If its already assembled, I'd leave it that way and clean it. Too many "failure modes" with cleaning solution, dirt, water, bearings and seals to hot tank the whole thing. Paint stripper makes a good heavy duty external de-greaser... just keep it away from the pinion seal area. Put it on, let it work and pressure wash it off.

I agree, hot tank the whole thing? no.

what I have done though, is to use a parts washer with mineral spirits to clean the whole thing, inside and out, using a wire brush.

finished product was a perfectly clean, and bone dry differential on the inside, minor surface rust on the outside.

after I use air to blow it dry, I sprayed everything inside down with WD40 immediately before anything started to flash rust. then, I squirted 30 weight oil straight into the bearings before reassmbly. once installed, I degreased the outside again with oil, wax, grease remover, and painted it.


but, again, this was on a mid-50s Packard with a standard open diff.

I don't know what parts washer solvent may do to the clutches in your sure grip.

I wouldn't "hot tank" it because the caustic cleaning solution would eat the seal.

I doubt you meant a real hot tank.

Parts cleaner(mineral spirits) would be fine.

Post deleted by 340SHORTY

I routinely douche complete 3rd members in my hot water cabinet washer, doesn't come out as clean as a caustic hot tank but it doesn't ruin the seal.