Engine Cleaning question.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Canton Ohio
Engine Cleaning question.
There is grease or oil on the Valve covers of my '68 and I was wondering if just using a towel to do that bould be good or would that hurt anything. Should I wet the towel at all. The car has been sitting for 14 years and doesn't look like it will run in the near future so would water getting on the engine hurt it?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Engine Cleaning question. (68350hp)
I'd cover the carb and dist. with plastic bags. Then spray down the engine with engine cleaner and let it soak. Maybe even hit it again. Do the top, sides and all over the engine compartment. Then use a pressure washer or good strong hose stream and hose off the grease and oil. If you do this out in the sun it will dry pretty fast. To speed the process along, use compressed air or the blow side of a shop vac. Make sure yoi blow out the alternater. Water will not hurt anything if you let it dry or blow it out.
BTW is a rebuild in the works or just waiting for the right time for the project? Good luck.
BTW is a rebuild in the works or just waiting for the right time for the project? Good luck.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
From: Petaluma CA
Re: Engine Cleaning question. (68350hp)
Bigvette is right on. I like Easy-Off oven cleaner. Make sure you use one of your wifes good towels so she will have something to remember you by. I know. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 0
From: The cure for the blues is eight cylinders roaring
Re: Engine Cleaning question. (Stevo)
The day before I go to a car show. I take the car down to the carwash pop the hood cover the carbs shoot it with the tire and engine cleaner and then rince, only had a problem once Igot too close to the destributor. :(
I got two blocks before she died took the better part of the day to dry out and get it started again. :D But she looks like a million bucks when shes done. :cool:
I got two blocks before she died took the better part of the day to dry out and get it started again. :D But she looks like a million bucks when shes done. :cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,023
Likes: 2
From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Engine Cleaning question. (Wightnite)
If you wash it down, make sure you run it for a while afterward so the heat evaporates out all the water caught in the nooks and crannys. And make sure you bag the wiper motor too--someone here fried theirs getting it wet with a power washer.
JB
JB
Racer
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach CA
Re: Engine Cleaning question. (JB)
I am going to go against the grain and say:
Don't do it!
I have a pretty beat up daily driver (I drove it like I stole it and now it drives like a stolen car!). Anyway, I got really frustrated when cleaning things, because oil prevents rust. When I would clean nasty old parts they would immediately rust or corrode in some way. Now I only clean something if I am going to paint it or know that it won't/can't rust. But thats just MHO
Don't do it!
I have a pretty beat up daily driver (I drove it like I stole it and now it drives like a stolen car!). Anyway, I got really frustrated when cleaning things, because oil prevents rust. When I would clean nasty old parts they would immediately rust or corrode in some way. Now I only clean something if I am going to paint it or know that it won't/can't rust. But thats just MHO
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Engine Cleaning question. (Jim 77)
Two schools of thought, two discussions great. One other .02 worth - a clean engine compartment and engine makes working on it and looking at it much more enjoyable.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Nowhere
Re: Engine Cleaning question. (FeedVaal)
The best grease cutter I've found is simple green. Spray it on a clean rag and wipe off gunk.
Simple Green (IMHO) is the best degreaser, and you don't suffocate in the process. :) [Modified by kgraumann, 7:28 AM 6/21/2002]
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
Re: Engine Cleaning question. (68350hp)
Well here is my 2 cents worth, from a guy who has owned a lot of greasy engines. My first choice is the Simple Green; it works well and is a lot safer than say oven cleaner. Don’t get me wrong, oven cleaner works real good if you plan on repainting what you clean, but keep it away from aluminum because it will destroy the finish. Here is a recent discovery though, I was cleaning up the engine compartment of a 2.8 Fi Z24 with a lot of aluminum and used mag wheel cleaner and was amazed at the results!
Another tip is WD40, never attempt to clean an engine compartment without some on hand!
(trivia.. WD40 = Water Displacement on 40th try)
Just my 2 cents.
Another tip is WD40, never attempt to clean an engine compartment without some on hand!
(trivia.. WD40 = Water Displacement on 40th try)
Just my 2 cents.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Re: Engine Cleaning question. (68350hp)
Both Simple Green & oven cleaner will corrode aluminum (never use oven cleaner-it contains sodium hydroxide which is bad stuff on aluminum). Meguiar's makes a product called Citri-Gel which is gentle & still removes the grease & oil & is formulated for cars so it will not harm aluminum. Just saw in in use at a Bloomington Gold workshop. Only problem is it costs more. I still bought a jug.
[Modified by 75 Hot One, 3:45 PM 6/21/2002]
[Modified by 75 Hot One, 3:45 PM 6/21/2002]
