I recently took apart my engine(with it still in the car) and I repainted the intake manifold, valve covers, and when I get new heads I am considering painting those. Does anyone have any photos of similar projects or engine bay cleanups?
Edit: Also any tips on cleaning off the gunk from the pistons? I started this project because my valve seals were dust and I was blowing a bunch of smoke, and all of that ended up on the pistons and im having trouble getting it off. not sure what the risks are of taking a wire brush to them.
1991 Firebird 305 TBI

 

once the engine is back together a fine mist of water from a squirt bottle is really all thats needed to clean the tops of the pistons..
but in reality, there is no need to clean them, a properly runnign engine will clean itself

 

Oven cleaner works good on pistons-just make sure to get American made (easy off etc.) The discount import stuff is not as good. Your pistons look quite ok for an old car-at least the one visable. Use carb cleaner to blast debris out of the groove around the tapered edge of the pistons.A common cause of rusty coolant is oxygen getting into the cooling system from seepy head gaskets or cracked heads. Going back together,are you going to use steel shim or composite gaskets ?

 

The one piston visible was the worst one, ill hit it with some carb cleaner or something like that before i put the heads back on, as for the gasket I havent ordered them yet, any specific recommedation?

 

Bold of you to assume my engine is running properly

 

Well, the compression may be running a bit low, especially on the driver's side.....