What is the best way to go about doing this? I am almost positive I am not supposed to sandblast it..... or should I mask it real well and do so?

i just used some H/D engine degreaser and a brush, then a H/D pressure washer... cleaned it up REALLY nice

Steam clean it- that way you don't damage anything.

When I rebuilt my tranny, I took the case to the car wash and hosed it off with the hi pressure. Worked great! Then all there is to do is make sure it's completely clean and spray it with some paint.

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80' Berlinetta

"Careful what you wish you may regret it, careful what you wish you just might get it"
METALLICA

Wild Bill, do you have it apart or assembled? If it is apart the local tranny shop or machine shop could hot tank it for you and it will come out awesome. Might cost a bit. The one I put in my car only had about 1K miles on it and was still pretty clean, I cleaned the rest of it up with laquer thinner and some old rags and spray bombed it silver or fake chrome which ever you prefer to call it!

I've cleaned many engines and transmissions with gasoline. I have one of those siphon things that runs off your air compressor, and it sucks the gas up and sprays it on, while you brush. works good for me.

I've always used a stiff bristle brush and kerosene.
Stinks up your clothes and hands, but works like a charm on grime.