Guide to cleaning/detailing the engine?
 

I'm sorry if this has been discussed somewhere else but I've searched the forum every way I can think of and have not found this topic...

I recently bought my first 911 (1980 SC Targa) and the engine compartment needs to be cleaned up. I've never detailed an engine before, mostly because I've never owned a car this old before. This is not a concours level car and I have no plans to show it, but with a 911 many people want to see the engine - and I want it to look nice. :cool: So, does anyone know of a good, clear guide out there so I can make sure not to mess up my new toy?

Thanks!

Todd

no different than any other engine :)

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50352-how-detail-your-engine-like-professional.html

How bad is the engine? As weird as it sounds I use the stuff I linked below. I literally spray my entire engine bay and take a cloth to components to wipe them off. This avoids using water in order to clean it off. Of course, it also depends on how dirty the bay is, but this stuff cuts through some seriously tough greases, etc. Wish I had a before & after photo to show you, but you wont be disappointed. Not to mention, you can use this stuff on the interior as well.

In & Out Spray - 9oz - PelicanParts.com

I spray mine with engine degreaser. Everywhere except the air hoses to the heat exchangers. If anything is particuarly greasy I give that bit a scrub at this stage with an dishwashing type brush. Then I give it a very good hose off to remove an left over degreaser. 15 minutes drive will dry it off after that. Don't panic about water on the electrics. If it was a concern the factory wouldn't have built them with a grille directly over the engine and electrics.

Thanks all for the suggestions!

Hang onto your old toothbrushes when you replace them and use them to help you clean your car. old toothbrushes are perfect (and cheap) to use to clean up some really nasty grime... cause you can just throw them away rather then cleaning them up for reuse.

Engine cleaning.
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFd_p9V8l7o
^^^^^
Have a look at this.

Good luck,

Gerry

The best guide I've seen to cleaning an engine is from Chris Fix:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRSoRkM8GcM

Unique to our engines is the fan and housing. Mine was the only dirty part of an otherwise spotless engine compartment. While I was replacing my fan belt this spring, I removed the fan and cleaned it along with the housing. Made the job much easier.