and what a failure that was...I bought that Engine Brite stuff from Autozone, because I heard from several friends of mine that it does wonder.

Maybe I am not doing it right....but I sprayed the engine bay down hardcore...and then slowly but surely washed what I could off with some water (bottled safely with a sprayer head of course )

Anywho, my valve covers look, slightly better, but they are still covered with grime, it didn't really bring out the shine that I expected it to. And down near mywater pump area (where the timing tab is) that place is just gross. 15 years of grime build up and it looks hideous. I did my best to spray that one down and it did virtually nothing.

Any tips on how to clean that crap off...someone suggested buying a toilet brush from the store and using that to clean out the crap.

 

Did you let it sit? When you use these engine cleaners you should let it sit on your engine for 5 minutes or more before you hose it off. And don't use it sparingly, use lots!

 

Definately, man, you've got to really soak it. I had some luck using BlackMagic EngineBrite, which is also safe on plastic.

 

Sometimes a pressure washer is also needed to get some of the caked on stuff. But keep in mind water will get into more things under pressure so be carefull when you spray the top of the motor down.

 

I've used Simple Green, that works real good. Also, this stuff called Greez-OFF, woks good too. I cleaned an engine in a F*rd with three cans of CRC Brake Kleen once. That worked too, but it stunk for a while.

 

I use a the cheapest cans of engine degreaser that I can find, and buy a whole bunch of them (usually 5). I coat everything, then go back over the heavy areas. Then I take a dish washing brush (long handle type, with the plastic bristles) from the dollar store, spray that with engine cleaner and go to town on the caked areas and hoses (so the lettering comes up clean). If it's a tpi car I use the Eagle one Etching aluminum wheel cleaner (for bare aluminum), this also works great for the master cyl, brake lines, prop valve, a/c lines, and the dryer. After about 5-10 mins I hose the motor down with no nozzle on the hose. Everything runs off really well usually, then follow up with some meguiers natural shine to shine the rubber.

-Jim

 

Sounds like you could literally eat off that motor. Good job, man

 

That's what I do when I just get a car, after that I use Greased Lighting Orange Blast to clean everything, works great and just use a brush or a towel on the heavy dirt.

I still need to do some final cleaning/painting/tank replacement, but here's how it came out.

 

man conlinj, that thing looks GREAT! how's the s/c coming along?

 

yea conlinj that does look great. isnt that the car you scored for like $1800?