since I'm saving money,and I DO want to work on the car, I want to clean up the engine and compartment. I've thought about using a spray on cleaner, btu I'm at a loss as to how to remove the dirt/cleaner/ect. I don't know of a car wash where I can use a power washer, or even if that's a good idea. a friend said I should look for a place that will steam clean it.. thoughts?

 

How about some "Gunk" from Pep Boys.

There is also a "Do It Yourself" carwash on San Jose Blvd just across the street from Bubbles. It is the hand sprayer thingy. Of course, I am assuming the engine is fairly dirty/greasy.

 

The carwash is all I use to clean the engine and it does wonders just make sure to cover the distributer and alternater.

 

Good old Gunk Engine Brite has always worked for me. Just spray it all over your cold engine, have a beer or 2, then take the garden hose to it. Be sure to protect your ignition system and alternator.

 

yet another vote for gunk , cant pass a beer while your working :lol:


[Modified by kingdavidrules, 7:40 AM 9/30/2002]

 

Simple Green. Buy it at your hardware store....spritz bottle or large jug. Use it on a cold engine. Spray/brush it on. Use paint brushes to get into the nooks and crannies. Hose it off. Dries without spots. It will remove decals under the hood...be careful if this is of concern to you. Smells nice too. I don't like GUNK....oily, smelly, dries with spots. Chuck

 

Advance Auto Parts sells stuff called Orange Blast. It's like the stuff Chuck is talking about, only it's orange. I think it's about $3 for a large spray bottle. Buy at least 2. It smells great. Take off the air cleaner, cover the carb and distributor separately, so you can still get the intake manifold.

I'd avoid a power washer. It's not necessary and can remove paint.

Do this at home. It won't kill your driveway and you won't get stranded should something get wet.

It's fun, cheap and the results are very rewarding. :flag

 

Like Chuck, I am a Simple Green fan. It is a little slower but that way you proceed at your pace. Take a cold engine, spray on SG and then work your magic with a parts brush on the stubborn stuff and a paint brush on the light stuff. Don't be afraid to spray on SG and let it sit. By going slowly, you can avoid ruining something that may be original.

On the other hand, I had a 66 with nothing original under the hood - in fact, it was a cobbled together engine compartment. It was so NASTY greasy and dirty that I drove to the local car wash, popped the hood and then read the paper for about 20-30 minutes to let the engine cool. I sprayed the entire engine with Gunk and then jacked up one side of the car. I sprayed the underside of the engine and tranny with more Gunk. Went back to the top of the engine and sprayed off tons of black crap. Once that was clean, I sprayed the bottom of the engine and tranny. What a difference. Of course, the folks watching me jack up my car were a little confused.

The only thing to watch for when spraying an engine is to do it cold (more or less) and do not spray the distributor, coil or carb. I sometimes would put a plastic bag over the distributor and tape it off. I still do this with my new cars. I let them sit until the engine is cool enough to rest my hand on.
Gary

 

Another vote for Simple Green. It is not petroleum based, is bio-degradable and will not harm your paint in case of some splash.

 

What will it do to my driveway? I am going to be doing this to my 70 in the next few days. I guess I can just pressure wash the driveway while I am at it.

Did I just say that. (While I am at it) That is the reason I am still not driving this thing. :jester

 

I also got good results spraying with simple green, then simply hosing off the engine.

I never worried about the alternator - was I just lucky?

I was very careful to protect the distributor (plastic bag and aluminum foil)

AND, the carburetor.

One additional caution: I removed the air cleaner and base, and carefully put a bag over the carb and tied it off....... then, you know that thick short hose that connects the valve cover to the air cleaner base? I almost dumped a bunch of water into that hose!!! :eek: MJ

 

Dish detergent and a garden hose. Take some Dawn, find the blue stuff, it's concentrated extra-strength or something like that. Douse your engine with it, gently hose it off. It might take more than one application, especially if it's caked-on, but it works pretty well. Again, be sure to cover up the distributor and alternator and carb.

 

Ive used castrol purpleclean .It works good but sometimes alittle too good.Sometimes it will take off cheap spray paint.I used to use oven cleaner .It works good also but it is pricey and will burn your skin. :yesnod: