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gunky engine comparement

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Old Jul 22, 2015 | 06:48 PM
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Default gunky engine comparement

hi guys , I am about 2 weeks away from staring my 1961 Corvette that has been sitting, need mufflers and lube the engine and a few other things , I have the car wheels up on steel rims for extra clearance, the engine is oily and I would like to clean it and the exhaust of 20 yrs of grime and oil, any ideas ??
I am sure someone been here before me

many thanks, grumpy
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Old Jul 22, 2015 | 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by grumpy10956
hi guys , I am about 2 weeks away from staring my 1961 Corvette that has been sitting, need mufflers and lube the engine and a few other things , I have the car wheels up on steel rims for extra clearance, the engine is oily and I would like to clean it and the exhaust of 20 yrs of grime and oil, any ideas ??
I am sure someone been here before me

many thanks, grumpy
"Gunk" or "Simple Green" or Castrol "Super Clean".
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Old Jul 22, 2015 | 07:08 PM
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Originally Posted by grumpy10956
hi guys , I am about 2 weeks away from staring my 1961 Corvette that has been sitting, need mufflers and lube the engine and a few other things , I have the car wheels up on steel rims for extra clearance, the engine is oily and I would like to clean it and the exhaust of 20 yrs of grime and oil, any ideas ??
I am sure someone been here before me

many thanks, grumpy
Spray 9 cleans it real good and is Ok for the environment
I have found this cleaner works on real good on grime and hoses off
even better believe me I had tried all the rest this stuff it is the best,
Gunk leaves residue and isn't strong enough.

Last edited by rtruman; Jul 23, 2015 at 06:51 AM.
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Old Jul 22, 2015 | 08:03 PM
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Cover/wrap your alternator, regulator and distributor. Spray on whatever you bought. Let it sit a couple hours. If you want too really get the heavy stuff off, rent a power washer. Ware crappy cloths, safety glasses, then go at it. Dennis
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Old Jul 23, 2015 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnZ
"Gunk" or "Simple Green" or Castrol "Super Clean".
IMO, Gunk smells really bad and the smell lingers for a month afterwards,
Just as good: The SuperTech foaming degreaser at WallyMart and it costs less.

However, some of these foaming degreasers will turn your rubber hoses white.


"Simple Green" or Castrol "Super Clean" are very good but a tad slower. I keep both in my shop.

Using a parts cleaning brush before hosing the cleaner off will speed things up.
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Old Jul 23, 2015 | 11:47 AM
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I've used Dawn liquid dish detergent with pretty good results. A few different sized stiff paint brushes and some old toothbrushes to apply and scrub, then hose it off.
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Old Jul 23, 2015 | 01:04 PM
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My car had sat for 25 years. It was more dust than grease, but I used a combination of Simple Green to break it up, liquid dish soap, and rinsed with clean water with a hose sprayer to control it (after protecting/wrapping electrical). Then I immediately dried it all off, as to not let the water sit and make problems, by using an air compressor and a Harbor Freight (really cheap) air/blower with long tube and trigger.

I had also use the blower to dislodge some of the gunk stuck in the crevices along the way. It also helped with cleaning the transmission, which is hard to reach.
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Old Jul 23, 2015 | 09:32 PM
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Default Marine Clean

Used Marine Clean for engine, transmission and everything else. No oder, residue or fumes. Comes concentrated so you mix to the strength needed for the job. Spray and let sit and you can use a hose to wash it off but pressure washer is best. Not cheep but results are worth it.
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Old Jul 24, 2015 | 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by rtruman
Spray 9 cleans it real good and is Ok for the environment
I have found this cleaner works on real good on grime and hoses off
even better believe me I had tried all the rest this stuff it is the best,
Gunk leaves residue and isn't strong enough.
:iagree Spray Nine. Don't let it sit on the cars finish
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Old Jul 24, 2015 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Geralds57
:iagree Spray Nine. Don't let it sit on the cars finish
or the interior it has some bleach in it great for white walls .
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Old Jul 24, 2015 | 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by rtruman
or the interior it has some bleach in it great for white walls .
I've used this stuff with great success... Pressure washer really helps. Same recommendations for not letting sit on your body paint, safety, etc..

Cheap, and it works great!
http://www.samsclub.com/sams/proforc...-gal/103502.ip
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Old Jul 24, 2015 | 05:49 PM
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As a side note, once you get the engine and compartment clean, it is a lot easier to keep it that way with an occasional wipe down with just some warm water on a rag. Also getting the underside of the hood and inner fenders. I have seen guys detail their engines and then let them get grungy after a couple of longer trips or several months of driving. It is easier to keep them clean by doing a simple cleaning on a regular basis.

As to products, I have used Simple Green and Dawn with good success. For really tough spots I have resorted to Lacquer thinner but care needs to be taken with it.
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Old Jul 24, 2015 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by grumpy10956
hi guys , I am about 2 weeks away from staring my 1961 Corvette that has been sitting, need mufflers and lube the engine and a few other things , I have the car wheels up on steel rims for extra clearance, the engine is oily and I would like to clean it and the exhaust of 20 yrs of grime and oil, any ideas ??
I am sure someone been here before me

many thanks, grumpy
Oven Cleaner puts a hurt on grease!
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Old Jul 24, 2015 | 06:52 PM
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Originally Posted by racefan2
Oven Cleaner puts a hurt on grease!
Be careful I used it to strip paint underneath the corvette
The tire tray and where needed. one small drip will strip any paint job to the bone.
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