Auto Detailing and Appearance Share tips and tricks on how to make your Third Gen shine! Get opinions on products or how something tasteful looks on your Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird.

Engine cleaning/detailing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-12-2001, 10:19 AM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
carter89RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Engine cleaning/detailing

what are some reccomendations on products to clean the engine?

i just got my hands on a 305TBI and the engine is filthy...looks like it has never been cleaned
Old 07-12-2001, 11:30 AM
  #2  
Member

 
Blue92's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Columbus, GA USA
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Call Zep @ 1-877-428-9937 and ask for morado super cleaner. Very dilutable and very strong! Later
Old 07-12-2001, 11:52 AM
  #3  
Junior Member
 
IROCJOE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Simple Green!!! Works great, it won't make it shiny, but it cleans it right up. Just squirt it on and spray it off. It can also be diluted...You can buy it anywhere, Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and some auto stores have it...its also fairly cheap
Old 07-14-2001, 12:21 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
Unmarked Vehicle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I use foamy engine brite. At night, when engine is cool, I will sray the foam all over. After five minutes, hose it off. Let it sit overnight to dry.

Some people recommend to start the vehicle to help dry it off. I say, DONT START YOUR CAR. You will cause your computer to go on a frenzy or car will run with mis-fires.
Old 07-15-2001, 07:19 AM
  #5  
Member
 
m3baller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: RI
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Its as simple as simple green.

------------------
My 1988 Firebird-the liscense plate on that was temporary :-)

90k miles, 305 5.0L, TBI, auto, black exterior, red interior.
Mods: Hi flow exhaust
Old 07-15-2001, 09:48 AM
  #6  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (1)
 
cobrakiller1989's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I usually us simple green, but i recently came across this engine detailing kit called CD2. It has 2 spray cans(one to clean, the other to detail). I used it and i loved it. Ill email u a pic of my engine to show u my results. The only downside is that it costs $7 to buy it.
good luck

------------------
*1989 RS
*Red, Daytona Turbo fiberglass hood, chrome 16x8 IROC wheels
*355 CID
*TPI ported plenum, SLP siamesed runners, Edelbrock high flow intake
*Edelbrock TES Headers (getting SLP 1 3/4 this summer)
*Richmond 3.73, Auburn Posi
*Modded 700-R4, 2800 stall converter
*NO recent time slips.
Old 07-15-2001, 11:58 AM
  #7  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
carter89RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by cobrakiller1989:
I usually us simple green, but i recently came across this engine detailing kit called CD2. It has 2 spray cans(one to clean, the other to detail). I used it and i loved it. Ill email u a pic of my engine to show u my results. The only downside is that it costs $7 to buy it.
good luck
</font>
i got the stuff, but i was wondering what you used to cover the electrical and air filter stuff? also what did you take off the engine before you sprayed the cleaner?


Old 07-15-2001, 01:07 PM
  #8  
Supreme Member

 
FiReBReTHa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Naperville, il usa
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
this is great guys, its becomming time to do this...but, are there any that you can drive away with, because i would have wanted to go to a self serve car wash and do it there.

my friend just got a car and was showing off how clean, i prepared to cry from days before.... poor dirty baby....


thnx

------------------
91 FireBird 305 V-8
Edelbrock Catback, Fourth Gen Console. i have six cupholders. all for starbucks!
ghetto rigged cold air intake,
GheTTo Riggers INC.
We Make Mcgyver look Like Crap
God Created The Earth, And Then Turned Up The Bass
F-Body Meeting, Naperville IL, Chicago Ave and Washington. July 27, 8:00ish.

Part Search, I NEED A Harness For A Radiator fan, THANX
Old 07-15-2001, 02:54 PM
  #9  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (1)
 
cobrakiller1989's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
cover the distributor and coil with a bag. If you have an open element you will want to cover that also. After that you can get the rest of the stuff wet. I didnt take anything else off of the engine

------------------
*1989 RS
*Red, Daytona Turbo fiberglass hood, chrome 16x8 IROC wheels
*355 CID
*TPI ported plenum, SLP siamesed runners, Edelbrock high flow intake
*Edelbrock TES Headers (getting SLP 1 3/4 this summer)
*Richmond 3.73, Auburn Posi
*Modded 700-R4, 2800 stall converter
*NO recent time slips.
Old 07-15-2001, 08:40 PM
  #10  
Jza
Moderator

 
Jza's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 4,384
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
i'd cover the alternator as well. the bearings are vulnerable. so are the bearings in v-belt smog pumps (if you still have yours). the serpentine smog pumps seem to be sealed better.

i just use wal-mart plastic bags.
Old 07-15-2001, 09:56 PM
  #11  
Junior Member
 
thickfacek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: wake forest, NC, U.S.
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I use grease lighting most of the time, just try not to get it on painted surfaces.


------------------
&gt; 1990 IROC-Z (black)
&gt; one of 3000 IROCs with a 305 made in 1990
&gt; flowmaster exhaust
system with mufler bypass
&gt; z-28 spoiler
&gt; blue under car neon kit
&gt; check out my site at: http://geocities.com/thickfacek/IROC-Z.html

&gt; email me at thickfacek@nc.rr.com
Old 07-16-2001, 12:13 PM
  #12  
Kat
Supreme Member

iTrader: (4)
 
Kat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Upland Pa
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: Camaro Vert
Engine: 355 HSR
Transmission: A4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 S60
This is what Castrol Superclean does and some tire foam in a can crap

Before


After I cleaned it




Kat


[This message has been edited by Kat (edited July 16, 2001).]
Old 07-16-2001, 12:38 PM
  #13  
Member
 
91z4me's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: louisville, ky usa
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
That last pic was amazing Great detail job. Did you use a plastic cleaner on the air intake and all the plastic or just regular soap.
Old 07-16-2001, 12:54 PM
  #14  
Kat
Supreme Member

iTrader: (4)
 
Kat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Upland Pa
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: Camaro Vert
Engine: 355 HSR
Transmission: A4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 S60
Hehe as I said, I just used Castrol Super Clean and some tire foam in a can crap.

Oh just watch out fer the Super Clean that stuff likes to eat paint

BTW that is the lovely lady Red's engine in her 91 Z28 Convertable


Kat
Old 07-16-2001, 09:34 PM
  #15  
Supreme Member

 
82firebird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: North Canton, Ohio
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Car: 1982 Firebird
Engine: sbc 307
Transmission: 200
Wow Kat! That looks really good! I cant believe how good that looks!
Old 07-17-2001, 02:14 PM
  #16  
Junior Member
 
90 Formula's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Valparaiso, IN
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 90 Formula, blue/silver
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
I use Simple Green and a toothbrush, with minimal water spray so I don't have to cover much up. If your engine is really bad, a few beers and some good tunes on the radio really help. Also, after I got things cleaned up I painted the air cleaner the same color as the primary body color (Medium Maui Blue), put a "305 Turbo Fire" old retro decal on the lid and it really looks sharp.

------------------
90 TBI 305 Formula
Original Owner
Auto Trans, T-Tops
Completely Stock Except:
--Flow Cooler water pump
--180 T-stat
Old 07-17-2001, 07:58 PM
  #17  
Junior Member
 
89REDGTA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Hamburg, NJ
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I use an electric powered pressure washer. I think it is the best for cleaning an engine compartment because it is not that powerful and you do not need any kind of cleaner at all. My engine compartment looks very similar to the above.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
84z96L31vortec
Tech / General Engine
7
08-20-2017 12:16 AM
Spyder_TheGamer
Tech / General Engine
1
12-25-2015 05:07 PM
Reddeath210
Firebirds for Sale
14
10-06-2015 08:20 AM
bradleydeanuhl
DFI and ECM
4
08-12-2015 11:48 AM



Quick Reply: Engine cleaning/detailing



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:44 AM.