Best way to clean my engine

[FrankieG]

Been working on the interior and exterior over the winter, and want to finish with a good engibne cleaning. Are there any tips to doing this? Doesn't have to be concurs quality clean, but I want it to look cared for. Any risks? Products folks have had success with?

[scottb]

Engine Detailing

[HFR_Racer]

Using Simple Green has been mentioned on this forum. I found this product at Lowe's.

[FrankieG]

Thanks for the link, but it seems like a lot of work. I don't need it perfect, just cleaner than it is now. Simple Green, I know the stuff. Just spray it on?

[DarrylD]

My approach to engine detailing focuses on keeping it looking original with a nice patina. I like to clean and degrease using the standard autopart offerings. Use carburetor cleaner, wire brush and a dental pic on the stuborn areas. Get the entire thing perfectly clean like you were prepping it for paint. Then scrub the aluminum surfaces, especially the fan and alternator housing with a Scotchbrite pad to remove the corrosion and shine them up. Final step is to spray everything with a thin coat of clear Plasticote hi-temp engine enamel to give the dull surfaces some depth. Here's the results:

BEFORE:


AFTER:


Of course a John Walker's Workshop sticker in the engine bay says a lot!

It still looks as nice today as it did a year ago.

[KCinBR]

thanks for the tips darrylD now I know what my next low cost project will be ................as soon as I get done with the high cost brake rebuild.....

[304065]

Nice pics Darryl.

You know, the car is only original once. Given what it takes to get BACK to originality after 40 years I would never pimp things out.

Plus it's a lot cheaper to remove, clean and replace than it is to improve!

[GaryR]

Darryl - What did you use to clean the silver heater hose? Came out like new!!

[Joe Bob]

Looks new because it IS new...

[DarrylD]

Hey GaryR!

I'd let you have that nice new silver hose if you could find me a pair of tin heater hose outlets for the shroud so I could backdate mine!