Engine cleaning and rusty harware
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
Engine cleaning and rusty harware
My L98 needs a bath in the worst way. Other than the alternator and obvious electrical connections are there any other components I need to cover and be careful around in particular? I was planning on a low pressure, low flow spray bath with green clean as my solvent.
Also there is some surface rust on a fair amount of the hardware in the engine compartment. Any suggestions other than steel wool and elbow grease?
Also there is some surface rust on a fair amount of the hardware in the engine compartment. Any suggestions other than steel wool and elbow grease?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,340
Likes: 2,084
From: Lehigh Valley PA
I was going to post the exact same thing about my LT1. Not sure if a light powered power washer was a good idea or not.
I will say this - others might agree or disagree - but I think to clean the metal/corroded areas - you might want to start with Scotch Brite pads first. See if that does the trick...if not then use steel wool... I find Scotch Brite pads to be less abrasive yet do a great job...
Once you have the engine clean...make sure to hit it with a nice spray like Adam's In & Out or similar. It will make your engine shine like new...
I will say this - others might agree or disagree - but I think to clean the metal/corroded areas - you might want to start with Scotch Brite pads first. See if that does the trick...if not then use steel wool... I find Scotch Brite pads to be less abrasive yet do a great job...
Once you have the engine clean...make sure to hit it with a nice spray like Adam's In & Out or similar. It will make your engine shine like new...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
I was going to post the exact same thing about my LT1. Not sure if a light powered power washer was a good idea or not.
I will say this - others might agree or disagree - but I think to clean the metal/corroded areas - you might want to start with Scotch Brite pads first. See if that does the trick...if not then use steel wool... I find Scotch Brite pads to be less abrasive yet do a great job...
Once you have the engine clean...make sure to hit it with a nice spray like Adam's In & Out or similar. It will make your engine shine like new...
I will say this - others might agree or disagree - but I think to clean the metal/corroded areas - you might want to start with Scotch Brite pads first. See if that does the trick...if not then use steel wool... I find Scotch Brite pads to be less abrasive yet do a great job...
Once you have the engine clean...make sure to hit it with a nice spray like Adam's In & Out or similar. It will make your engine shine like new...
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
They make rust removers where you can soak those wish I could rememeber the name. Some say vinegar works
If it were me take a big bag ea weekend to osh they have every size imaginable in plain silver grade 5 or the gold cad grade 8 imagineable, stainless etc. Spent a ton there doing a frame off. Looks good (esp underneath against detailed parts),& cheap yes they have metric.
If it were me take a big bag ea weekend to osh they have every size imaginable in plain silver grade 5 or the gold cad grade 8 imagineable, stainless etc. Spent a ton there doing a frame off. Looks good (esp underneath against detailed parts),& cheap yes they have metric.
Last edited by cv67; Nov 29, 2016 at 09:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
They make rust removers where you can soak those wish I could rememeber the name. Some say vinegar works
If it were me take a big bag ea weekend to osh they have every size imaginable in plain silver grade 5 or the gold cad grade 8 imagineable, stainless etc. Spent a ton there doing a frame off. Looks good (esp underneath against detailed parts),& cheap yes they have metric.
If it were me take a big bag ea weekend to osh they have every size imaginable in plain silver grade 5 or the gold cad grade 8 imagineable, stainless etc. Spent a ton there doing a frame off. Looks good (esp underneath against detailed parts),& cheap yes they have metric.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
No, but we do have several locally owned ACE hardware stores that do a good job of stocking fasteners. I have spent many an hour there finding stainless and even chrome hardware for my Hogs. I guess I will simply need to spend the time and go one by one as i run across them.
I have seen interior hardware kits....wish they had an "under the hood" hardware kit!!
I have seen interior hardware kits....wish they had an "under the hood" hardware kit!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Protect the distributor and alternator. Use low pressure water. You can use a engine degreaser without isssues.
MAYOR111 - in no way should you use any type of pressure or low pressure water on your engine. The OPTI is on the front and you will destroy this if you get any volume of water on it. It is often killed when the water pump fails and coolant leaks out the weep hole on the water pump. Do a search on the OPTI. It is recommended you use Simple Green and logs of rags to clean.
MAYOR111 - in no way should you use any type of pressure or low pressure water on your engine. The OPTI is on the front and you will destroy this if you get any volume of water on it. It is often killed when the water pump fails and coolant leaks out the weep hole on the water pump. Do a search on the OPTI. It is recommended you use Simple Green and logs of rags to clean.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
Protect the distributor and alternator. Use low pressure water. You can use a engine degreaser without isssues.
MAYOR111 - in no way should you use any type of pressure or low pressure water on your engine. The OPTI is on the front and you will destroy this if you get any volume of water on it. It is often killed when the water pump fails and coolant leaks out the weep hole on the water pump. Do a search on the OPTI. It is recommended you use Simple Green and logs of rags to clean.
MAYOR111 - in no way should you use any type of pressure or low pressure water on your engine. The OPTI is on the front and you will destroy this if you get any volume of water on it. It is often killed when the water pump fails and coolant leaks out the weep hole on the water pump. Do a search on the OPTI. It is recommended you use Simple Green and logs of rags to clean.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Evaporust will remove rust without hurting your parts or you. Once your parts (such as screws, brackets, etc) are cleaned of rust, get some satin bare metal clear from Eastwood. You will be also be able to use this on cleaned up aluminum.
Each night, take some nuts, bolts and brackets out, throw them in some Evaporust and leave them overnight. Clean and paint the next day.
If you don't mind a non-stock appearance, there are various brands of matte finish, hot rod black that you can shoot the nuts and bolts with. A lot of them were originally a phosphate type finish, but a matte flat black really looks good.
I am debating on whether or not I should use this method or replace a lot of the nuts and bolts with stainless steel or a combination of the 2.
Try and find out if you have a fastener supplier in your area (a mom and pop type operation), they will typically sell for less expensive a price point, than say, Fastenal. I replaced hundreds of the screws in our travel trailer with stainless for less than $20.00.
Each night, take some nuts, bolts and brackets out, throw them in some Evaporust and leave them overnight. Clean and paint the next day.
If you don't mind a non-stock appearance, there are various brands of matte finish, hot rod black that you can shoot the nuts and bolts with. A lot of them were originally a phosphate type finish, but a matte flat black really looks good.
I am debating on whether or not I should use this method or replace a lot of the nuts and bolts with stainless steel or a combination of the 2.
Try and find out if you have a fastener supplier in your area (a mom and pop type operation), they will typically sell for less expensive a price point, than say, Fastenal. I replaced hundreds of the screws in our travel trailer with stainless for less than $20.00.
Last edited by drcook; Nov 29, 2016 at 10:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
Evaporust will remove rust without hurting your parts or you. Once your parts (such as screws, brackets, etc) are cleaned of rust, get some satin bare metal clear from Eastwood. You will be also be able to use this on cleaned up aluminum.
Each night, take some nuts, bolts and brackets out, throw them in some Evaporust and leave them overnight. Clean and paint the next day.
Each night, take some nuts, bolts and brackets out, throw them in some Evaporust and leave them overnight. Clean and paint the next day.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,340
Likes: 2,084
From: Lehigh Valley PA
MAYOR111 - in no way should you use any type of pressure or low pressure water on your engine. The OPTI is on the front and you will destroy this if you get any volume of water on it. It is often killed when the water pump fails and coolant leaks out the weep hole on the water pump. Do a search on the OPTI. It is recommended you use Simple Green and logs of rags to clean.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
IMHO Gardner Westcott is the go to for complete engine bolt kits.
http://gardner-westcott.com/wp-conte.../index.html#10
http://gardner-westcott.com/wp-conte.../index.html#10
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
The L98 has a distributor at the rear of the engine. The LT1 and LT4 have the dreaded OPTI. Destroy the OPTI with water and your looking at big dollars to replace. Parts alone depending on brand are $300 - $600. If you can't do the work yourself...add another $1000.
