How do you clean a LT1 Engine!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Ruskin Florida
How do you clean a LT1 Engine!
I was wondering how you guys clean your engine without ruining the Opti. My engine has the usual sand and crap on it and I would like to spray it down. How do you cover the Opti? And what do you clean the engine with? Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,505
Likes: 42
From: Nashua NH
Re: How do you clean a LT1 Engine! (Joeyvette)
Here is what I do: I use a shop vac to blow or suck sand and leaves and other stuff out. I use simple green or greases lighting to clean spots of grime and grease. Then when I have the engine clean I spray that no touch tire foam all over the the engine hoses and fender well for that just detailed shiny look. Works well for me. It takes a little time and effort, but it looks good after.
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 717
Likes: 0
From: Springdale PA
Re: How do you clean a LT1 Engine! (turbota)
Well i spent hours upon hours last week doing this, I started by spraying simple green everywhere but the front of the motor ,then witha hose I very lightly sprayed the underside of the hood and the top and sides of the motor but not the front , being careful not to wet the opti. Both front wheels were off also so I can the suspension really good. Then I dried every thing off by hand with a towel. After that I went over every thing in the engine with a rag and 303. The whole engine looks better than new now. But it was very time consuming. :yawn: good luck!
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 4,445
Likes: 0
From: Mandeville, Louisiana
Re: How do you clean a LT1 Engine! (Joeyvette)
I spray down everything with Simple Green, let it sit, then rinse off with low pressure water, start the engine, and let it heat up and evaporate the water.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: How do you clean a LT1 Engine! (Eric 96)
First i turn on the air compressor .. then i blow everything down reallly really well with 140psi :D . If used properly, you can blow out greasy dirt that sticks to your block this way too!
After that i go to town by hand with paper towels and simple green. :yesnod: For shineyness .. i use Meguairs tire shiner on all the plastic and rubber parts :cheers: . I use Mother's alumnium polish on the unpainted (ie not the red intake) metal under the hood. That stuff works really well! :yesnod:
[Modified by GlockLT4, 1:53 PM 5/20/2003]
After that i go to town by hand with paper towels and simple green. :yesnod: For shineyness .. i use Meguairs tire shiner on all the plastic and rubber parts :cheers: . I use Mother's alumnium polish on the unpainted (ie not the red intake) metal under the hood. That stuff works really well! :yesnod:
[Modified by GlockLT4, 1:53 PM 5/20/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 253
From: Little Elm TX
Re: How do you clean a LT1 Engine! (_freakmonkeydogboy_)
One extra large bottle of Simple Green, two rolls of shop towels, and a lot of elbow grease! :D Took me two days. I never realized the frame was black! :eek: :D :thumbs:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 6,272
Likes: 2
From: Chino Valley AZ
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Currently Corvette-less
Re: How do you clean a LT1 Engine! (Joeyvette)
Joey,
Here's the scoop..... The problem with cleaning your engine with water is due to the sensitive nature of the OptiSpark, MAF, IAC, and TPS. The OptiSpark is prone to allow water from the outside migrate to the inside due to a bad seal design. I wash my engine at least once per month (with high pressure water) but not without precaution.
1st ~ the OptiSpark is located directly behind and below the water pump. I take old cotton rags and stuff them in and around all areas of the water pump. Next, I take a rag and wrap it around the throttle body to protect the IAC (Idle Air Control) and the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor). If your Vette is 94 or later, it has a MAF on the inlet air duct. Wrap a towel around this unit. The reson you should use cotton absorbent rags vs. plastic is that the rags absorb and don't deflect water like plastic does.
Now, spray away ~~~ but use common sense. The rags are there to protect the components from indirect spray. If you point the wand directly at any of these components ~ you are asking for trouble.
This allows you to wash away the everyday dust and dirt that accumulates under the hood. When done, remove the rags and Simple Green that small area you avoided with the spray.
~ Purp
Here's the scoop..... The problem with cleaning your engine with water is due to the sensitive nature of the OptiSpark, MAF, IAC, and TPS. The OptiSpark is prone to allow water from the outside migrate to the inside due to a bad seal design. I wash my engine at least once per month (with high pressure water) but not without precaution.
1st ~ the OptiSpark is located directly behind and below the water pump. I take old cotton rags and stuff them in and around all areas of the water pump. Next, I take a rag and wrap it around the throttle body to protect the IAC (Idle Air Control) and the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor). If your Vette is 94 or later, it has a MAF on the inlet air duct. Wrap a towel around this unit. The reson you should use cotton absorbent rags vs. plastic is that the rags absorb and don't deflect water like plastic does.
Now, spray away ~~~ but use common sense. The rags are there to protect the components from indirect spray. If you point the wand directly at any of these components ~ you are asking for trouble.
This allows you to wash away the everyday dust and dirt that accumulates under the hood. When done, remove the rags and Simple Green that small area you avoided with the spray.
~ Purp
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Ruskin Florida
Re: How do you clean a LT1 Engine! (vette_dreamer)
How do you know the guy you are paying 20 bucks to is not spraying the engine down and possibly endangering your opti :confused:
