Engine Cleaning
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 40,350
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St. Jude Donor '14
Engine Cleaning
I there some magic coating
the dealer sprays all over the engine area to make it look nice and shiny after a steam cleaning before they sell it?
Was always curious about that
the dealer sprays all over the engine area to make it look nice and shiny after a steam cleaning before they sell it?Was always curious about that
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
The shops I know of will pressure wash an engine bay to blow out all the dust and dirt and leaves and such and then coat everything with an engine degreaser of some kind. They'll wash it all out again, and then apply another coat of the degreaser because it has a slick wet look to it and makes the rubber hoses look pretty. It's all an illusion but it helps buyers make the decision.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 22
From: Marina CA
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: Millbrook Al.
Autozone has the large size of "elbow grease" on sale for $9.95. 
Seriously, All I do is give my wife a stack of rags, a saturday afternoon, all the bicardi she wants, and she does this trick where the grease transfers from the car to her. (She wont tell me what it is.)
Alan, I know you have heard this before, But that is one beautiful engine.
Seriously, All I do is give my wife a stack of rags, a saturday afternoon, all the bicardi she wants, and she does this trick where the grease transfers from the car to her. (She wont tell me what it is.)
Alan, I know you have heard this before, But that is one beautiful engine.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,160
Likes: 4,241
From: Westminster Maryland
Thanks very much for the comments.
It's just a 350/270, is quite 'pretty', but not very 'racy' at all.
I think part of what people like about it is that it's a stock motor that didn't have any smog equipment on it. So it's really simple looking.
Regards,
Alan
PS: In the picture it's 'making believe' it's a 70, 350/300. ( Air Cleaner and Distributor Shield. )
It's just a 350/270, is quite 'pretty', but not very 'racy' at all.
I think part of what people like about it is that it's a stock motor that didn't have any smog equipment on it. So it's really simple looking.
Regards,
Alan
PS: In the picture it's 'making believe' it's a 70, 350/300. ( Air Cleaner and Distributor Shield. )
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
Don't use a steam cleaner on your engine. If you have any deposits on the inside of your engine (valve covers, intake manifold, etc.) steam cleaning will loosen those deposits and clog the oil system.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Streator Illinois
The steam hitting the engine at atmospheric pressure can only be 212 degrees. Steam can only be more than 212 under pressure in a closed container or pressure vessel.
Thus, the steam would be at or only a little above engine operating temperature and would seem to be no different than just running the engine.
With regards to the original question, I know some guys at car shows use spray silicon or something like Armour All to get a shine. Probably not a good idea if you plan to do any painting in the engine compartment.
Terry
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
What makes you say that? Do you have any evidence or reference as to why this would be true?
The steam hitting the engine at atmospheric pressure can only be 212 degrees. Steam can only be more than 212 under pressure in a closed container or pressure vessel.
Thus, the steam would be at or only a little above engine operating temperature and would seem to be no different than just running the engine.
With regards to the original question, I know some guys at car shows use spray silicon or something like Armour All to get a shine. Probably not a good idea if you plan to do any painting in the engine compartment.
Terry
The steam hitting the engine at atmospheric pressure can only be 212 degrees. Steam can only be more than 212 under pressure in a closed container or pressure vessel.
Thus, the steam would be at or only a little above engine operating temperature and would seem to be no different than just running the engine.
With regards to the original question, I know some guys at car shows use spray silicon or something like Armour All to get a shine. Probably not a good idea if you plan to do any painting in the engine compartment.
Terry
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
I dream about cleaning up my engine compartment. It would look sooo nice! 
Dreaming about it is so much easier than doing it.. but it is a relatively inexpensive/high return project. Maybe this.. I mean next, winter. 
Dreaming about it is so much easier than doing it.. but it is a relatively inexpensive/high return project. Maybe this.. I mean next, winter.