Any hints on how to clean the alternator cooling fan without harsh cleaners that will damage the stator insulation or strip the clearcoat on the outer shell? (I have a protective coating on the aluminum to prevent tarnish and dirt accumulation). The alternator fan gets dirty after a couple hours operation and it takes upwards of 20 minutes to get it sparkling again (turning the engine over, cleaning, turning more, etc.) Show season is fast approaching, and I'll take any hints.

I've got all the replacement labels ready to go on, and the last of the details is about complete except for this PITA issue. I'd like to NOT have to trailer the car to a show, since that usually automatically "ups the ante" for class/division.

 

Bottle of Simple-Green and some canned-air?

Or perhaps one of those wheel brushes made for spoked rims..?

 

Vader,

Is the cooling fan stock? i.e. matt black. If it is I'm assuming you want to keep it that way, and not chrome it or re-paint it gloss.

Can you put on a spare fan in less than 20 minutes?

just a thought.

 

Now that I like to see.
Someone who has helped me a bunch and one of the most informative people on this board asking a "how to question"................Hey Vader, i have never really seen a picture of your car, got one?

 

The fan on my '86 is zinc plated steel (the old style). I can get it clan, but it doesn't stay that way after a couple hours of driving. I don't mind cleaning up the car a bit, but that little detail sticks out like a sore thumb and takes too long to get looking good. Simple Green around an alternator doesn't sound like a good idea unless it can be rinsed thoroughly afterward. For general cleaning, that would be fine, but not for detailing.

I aslo discovered that I have a couple of torn rubber hood alignment wedges (the ones that clip into the fender rail). The "Help!" section at parts stores isn't "Helping!", so I need to find another source. Anyone know where I can find replacement body rubber parts, either NOS or generic?

BTW -

 

wow. Vader your car looks great. absolutely mint. now i am not at all good at detailing or stuff like that cause i dont care about the looks of my car as much as the mechanical operation of it. but what about painting the fan and putting a clear coat on it. then maybe clean it off with some of those static cleaning clothes i see advertised on TV. Pledge and Swiffer Sweeper are two brands here in canada. those clothes are supposed to work quite well. i had a free sample of the pledge clothes and they cleaned up stuff like dust and dry dirt quite well.

i am sure that didnt help you at all, but i thought i would try my best to help cause you help so many of us everyday.

by the way...i see a pic of you car at the track.. what does it run and what mods have you done the to motor (305 or 350?)?