Power washing engine (on stand)

[Sport/Truck]

I have my engine on its new stand. And need to clean it. Anything I should be careful of? I plan on using something under the lift plate to keep water out of the intake-maybe the carburetor gasket or duct tape.
The timing chain cover is off, which will allow water into the oil pan. Do I need to worry about this or my new chain? (I cold do the bottom first upside down. Then roll it over to do the rest (preventing water from getting on the crank etc.). But I suspect some water could get in because the gasket is BUTTCO (I had the pan off and just reinstalled it for cleaning).
I have the exhaust manifolds off. Do I need to worry about water getting in the ports? Or should I reinstall them? What should I do to prevent water getting in?
What about the distributor, will it be ok since I’m not going to fire it right up?
Any suggestions or concerns would be really appreciated.
s/t

[GREASEMONKEY72]

i would suggest putting the timing cover on just with some silicone or something to keep the water out cause the chain can rust and also i would either get or make plates to cover the exhaust ports or just put the manifolds back on cause you dont want water in the chambers and with the dizzy as long its tightened up it should be fine but wrap the cap part of it in a plastic bag or something and you should be able to get away with just using ductape on the carb opening on the intake just dont blow it away

[watahyahknow]

a plastic bag over the engine is a good idea when its on the stand .
i think you have the engine ready for dismanteling ? wouldnt use any water on the engine un till its buttoned up during buildup

[Sport/Truck]

How’s this sound. I’ll use duct tape over the exhaust ports, then bolt the manifolds on to keep the tape from blowing off.
I’ll also use your idea for the timing cover.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

sounds good to me, bolting the manifolds up alone should be fine though

[Aarons72s]

If any thing stick some clean wrags in the exhaust ports then put the exhaust manifolds on just in case instead of the duct tape. As for distributor I have a worn out one that steal seals good for my cleaning and painting. Or if it is still a good one you plan on reusing then I would cover it with plastic. For cheap engine bags I use the largest trash bags I can find. Usually real cheap and works great. Good luck.

[brak]

I do the following when cleaning an engine that isn't going to the machinist.

for the carb opening, i just bolt down a lift plate with a rubber gasket i made.
I picked up a long piece of flat stock aluminuim which i drilled holes in, and i use that to cover the exhaust passages. make sure the timing cover is installed, and avoid it.

That's how it's done at my place

[IvelDesigns]

never been a fan of hosing down an engine with water. In the past i have sealed things up like others described, then used a few cans of brake cleaner and a wire brush.

[RACINJASON22]

with IvelDesigns

[Sport/Truck]

Originally Posted by GREASEMONKEY72

sounds good to me, bolting the manifolds up alone should be fine though

Yes, I thought about that this morning just before I got up. I’ll use some rages in exhaust out lets.

Originally Posted by Aarons72s

If any thing stick some clean wrags in the exhaust ports then put the exhaust manifolds on just in case instead of the duct tape. As for distributor I have a worn out one that steal seals good for my cleaning and painting. Or if it is still a good one you plan on reusing then I would cover it with plastic. For cheap engine bags I use the largest trash bags I can find. Usually real cheap and works great. Good luck.

What are the engine bags used for? I’m not just picturing it, I guess. Please explain a little more.
Thanks,
s/t

[Billla]

I may be a bit lost here - you're just doing some repair work, not a teardown, right? If you're not taking it ALL the way down, don't power wash it.

[msgross]

i'm doing oven cleaner, simple green...use the air hose for the block (rags in all open holes) then use a tooth or wire brush with some brake cleaner to complete. That's for the block and heads only, everything else will come off and go in the parts washer (oil pan, timing cover, valve covers) be sure to leave the old spark plugs in too...

[Sport/Truck]

Originally Posted by Billla

I may be a bit lost here - you're just doing some repair work, not a teardown, right? If you're not taking it ALL the way down, don't power wash it.

Yes, this is correct, not a rebuild. I don’t want to re-seal a greasy engine & install the newly powder coated parts that’s also going on. I want it clean enough to eat off.
s/t

[Sport/Truck]

I thinking of just using light water spray to rinse off the de-greaser. This should keep the water out of the block.
I’ll also clean the intake when I have it off.
s/t

[BigSky71]

I am at this same point on my build. Motor was rebuilt a few years ago but I want to clean it up and paint it to match the new truck color. It's too cold up here to do any water washing outside without getting a bunch of ice. So I plan to stay inside and use brake cleaner and a several wire and tooth brushes to get the grim off. Then final clean it with wax and grease remover. I expect it to be a fairly long and tedious process...

[Billla]

Originally Posted by Sport/Truck

I thinking of just using light water spray to rinse off the de-greaser. This should keep the water out of the block.
I’ll also clean the intake when I have it off.
s/t

If I might suggest an alternative, a good scrubbing with a stiff brush and a water-based solvent like Super Clean followed by a careful rinse, then some TSP and a rinse and finally a pre-paint prep like Eastwood's PRE would be my suggestion.

[Sport/Truck]

Thanks Bill, I’m using NAPA degreaser the stuff works really well IMO. I’m using small wire brushes & light water for rinse.
I also hadn’t thought of using trisodium phosphate (tsp). Will this help with adhesion of the new paint or is it just another degreaser? I was thinking of trying the either trick (like Mark used), or brake cleaner on what ever I didn’t get off. It’s nearly finished now; I have everything covered pretty well too. I have some tsp to use if need be.