Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

I tried to not spray on the firewall markings, but let's see if anyone has any experience with this...

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

I believe it does I took mine off :(

I wish I had a pic or something to put them back on, what did they stand for anyway?

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Here's my tip, I found this one out through personal experience. :o After spending many hours detailing the engine compartment in my car, I decided I'd finish it off with a spray it of quick detailer and wipe it down with a microfiber towel to get the dust off from it's first drive since the engine swap. Well, I bought Quick Detailer and Spray on Wax in nearly identical bottles, and guess which one I grabbed? Yep, the Spray on Wax. Now I've got a ton of white specs all in the nooks and crevices that are unreachable. The engine was slightly warm so the wax dried pretty quickly before I could wipe it all off. So, check your bottles before you spray...

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

So is it better to have the engine warm before applying the simple green (or anything else)? it seems like this should be the case but just want to confirm.

Thanks

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

I've got a power steering pump that spewed all over the place because it got over-filled. I'm not trying to show it or anything, but I would like to get the big stuff off to keep it from being an eye sore. Will it be possible to soak it in simple green for a while and pressure wash it off? I'm going to be commuting with this truck when I get home from asscrackistan and won't have the time to tear it apart. What are your thoughts?

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

I have a cautionary tale. I had an engine out, on a stand. I degresed it pretty well, but it had aluminum heads and some paint flaking on the block. I decided to plug all of the exhaust and intake holes real well and lightly hit the trouble spots with the soda blaster. By the way, wal-mart plastic sacks make perfect plugs especially if you cram them in tight. The soda blaster did a nice job, took off some of the stubborn stuff and it came out real shiny. The problem came later when I started re-assembly. The first couple of accessory bolts wouldn't thread, then I started checking all of the bosses and most wouldn't thread. Turns out the soda went into holes, where there was still some moisture from cleaning and it turned hard as a rock. I had to chase many of the holes, and clean them out with a bottle brush. Still had issues and had to oil most of the bolts as well.

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

If you have belt squeal, you can very carefully take a scotchbrite pad and lightly hold it to the inside of the belt while the engine is running. I can not stress the importance of being careful doing this so you dont get your hand caught in the pulleys/and/or mechanical fan. All your tring to do is deglaze the belt some. It might just save you from buying new belts if the old ones are still decent.[/QUOTE]



this is crazy!dont ever stick your fingers in/on a running belt unless you dont want them!

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Anybody have any ideas on how to make a cast aluminum alternator look nice again? My last truck I actually bought a reman alternator just so it would look nice, worked, but not really the cheapest route.

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Nothing better than steam for cleaning anything with caked on grease and oil. Find a steam cleaner near you and pay them (probably $40 but worth it) to do the engine compartment top to bottom. You'll be amazed....

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

What do you guys think about pressure washing an engine thats out and may not be started for awhile?Exhaust manifolds intake carb distrubitor is all there.Im just concerened about water getting in to the cylinder walls and pistons and causing damage.Should i just wait until its in and started?

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

When pressure washing an engine, it really is best to do bare block-heads instead of with everything on it, it'd probably be fine if you sealed it off plenty good but I personally wouldn't try it.

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

When soaking in Simple Green and then power washing what parts in the bay should be covered or not exposed to high pressure water?
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Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Great question here. I'd like to take my truck to one of those DIY car wash places, remove the air cleaner, cover the carburetor with a plastic bag and spray that sucker off real good... Is this a bad idea? Could this negatively impact the engine?


If this is a reasonable approach, I'd like to spray on some Purple power and let it soak in beforehand.

Thoughts?

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Lower shock mounts for my `64 c-10 after sitting in white vinegar for four days.

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Well that's impressive! Thanks for the tip!

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Vinegar is really great for rust removal. Anytime I see it on sale, I buy it like there's no tomorrow. It is not an instant cleaner by any means, but it is damn cheap. Sometimes, I toss a part into the bucket and leave it for weeks until I get back to it.

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

I'm degreasing my engine for the first time this coming Monday. Anymore words of wisdom for a newbie?

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Senorx, wear gloves. My fingerprint grooves and nails were black for a long time after I once cleaned an engine. No amount of scrubbing them got me through inspection by my old lady. The gloves might save you from a few nights on the living room couch.

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Good to know. I have a box of latex gloves. :metal:

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

what do you guys recommend for cleaning LS motors? Do these require special handling?

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Graystoke, the only engine I have a clue about is my 250 I6. In general, I cover the distributor, coil, carb, air cleaner, and other electrical areas, and I use brushes and a bucket of water. I do not pressure wash the engine bay. It all cleans up pretty nicely and it is really no big chore. Take your lazy time. Have a look at what you are doing. Then use smaller brushes or rags to clean any areas that you did not get to with the larger brush. I suppose more experienced guys will use a hose, but I don't mind the slower, hand cleaning, method.

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Stupid question here: if I take my time and mask off what needs to be masked off, would it be possible to paint my engine without removing it? It's not too messy under the hood, but the motor has paint flaking/chipping and it drives me crazy. I'd like to do a nice detail of everything, but it's pretty worthless if my engine looks like crap.

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

NJc10Guy, My '66 c10 250 has room for a bed under the hood and I suppose the engine could be painted without removing it. Obviously, you are not going to get the paint job you would get if the engine were removed. I have read over and over again that the I6 250 is no big deal to take out. It seems to me that you would be spending a lot of time doing the masking that you mentioned, plus you might want to remove some accessories, hoses, etc. Look, every guy does his own paint job. You can spend a day painting or you can spend a week, and I am sure there are guys who will spend a month to get the result that they want. You get what you sow, I would say. Anyway, do what you gives you joy and enjoy what you did.

Re: Do's/Don'ts of Engine Cleaning (Tell us your experiences...)
 

Simple answer is yes. However cover the whole vehicle, the fumes carries small amounts of paint in them and it will settle everywhere you do not want it.