Best Way to clean original engine area 71 Targa

[jrsully]

restoring my driver 71 Targa and have the rebuilt drivetrain ready to go in and I want to spiff up the area as best I can before I install the new insulation pad, but don't want to get into a complete strip and repaint. The original Bahia red and black overspray actually appear to be in very good shape under the normal 40 yrs of gunk. Any tips (power wash.?) cleaning product recommendations.? are appreciated. Thx

[Reiver]

Extreme Simple Green...that is the aviation grade aluminum safe stuff....basic simple green will 'eat' alloy.
I don't like a heavy psi power wash as it will force water into places you don't want it to be.
Be sure to clean inside the engine cover behind the fan.....you don't want an unevenly heating motor.
I use this tech I got from a well respected Indy P shop in Phoenix.
I run the car at 2000 rpm and spray the ESG into the fan area then follow with a stream of water thru the fan as it runs. The fan sends the water away from the alternator and covers the engine well.
Sounds iffy but works great and this shop has done this for 30 + years on motors before they do major work on them with never an issue.
I've been doing that fro 3 years now as I live in a dusty area....works great but scares some folks.

[SCadaddle]

Engine starting fluid and a bunch of paper towels!

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by Reiver

Extreme Simple Green...that is the aviation grade aluminum safe stuff....basic simple green will 'eat' alloy.
.

Ordinary Simple Green works fine. I never leave it soak for more than 3 mins before hosing it off, so no harm done. I do it several times, one after another even with engine soaking wet, until satisfied.

Best done with warm engine.


Cheers,

Joe
87 Carrera w/ squeaky clean engine

[Cook&Dunning]

check out this guys' attention to detail in the engine compartment (and everywhere else) - his projects are amazing. He is a poster on PP

http://www.darrylsgarage.com/index.htm