Since my motor is going to me out of the way soon, I'm thinking of cleaning everything up. I noticed that there is oil and "grime" in the compartment as well as underneigh. Hopefully, getting the motor rebuild will take care of this problem.
What would you use to clean it up and how?
I'm thinking of wiring anything up that would drag, dropping it off the jacks and pulling it down the driveway to clean. Since the driveway is on a incline, would it be too hard to get a couple of friends to help push the car back up into the garage?
I'm hoping to use a friends steam cleaner but, if I can't how would you go about cleaning it.
Does the driveshaft need to be wired up and how?
Thanks

 

When I started my 383 stroker conversion on my 94 vette back in October I also had a mess engine compartment, oil, road gunk, muck. I am very detail oriented and would not allow my engine compartment to look this bad. I've cleaned a lot of engines in the past and so I am kind of a pro at it now. There are a couple of things I use and do to conquer a mess like your seeing. 1. I buy a product called Purple Stuff Degreaser that you can pick up at any Wal-Mart, Track auto, Pep Boys, etc. I normally set it up to use a spray bottle and spray everything down, let it set for a few minutes, and then rinse it off with light spray from the water hose. Be sure to cover up any open end hoses that are still in your engine compartment,( Power steering hoses, tranny lines,etc) Then I get a large toothbrush, a couple of rags, a bucket, and a couple of S.O.S. pads. I first work on the wire harnesses since there the most time consuming. I spray my purple stuff on the harness that I'm working with and take my tooth brush to get in the grooves on the harness. I do this for all harnesses. Then rinse everything off. Your harnesses will have a crisp bright black look when they're 100% clean. I have in the past replaced some of the stock electrical tape that is wrapped around the ends of some of the harnesses, just to have the clean look. I utilize the sos pad in conjunction with the purple stuff to clean up the underneath side and suspension components. I have used mineral spirits on some heavily caked areas just to help break it up. Use caution when using mineral spirits, it will take paint off your car. If you use it sparingly only in the engine compartment you should be fine. I spray everything down again, and then utilize my water bucket with a rag; I use clean water and a rag to go over everything one more time not just to get anything I've missed but to make sure I get all the degreaser out of there. Since you have the engine out it's a real good time to take advantage of detailing your front suspension. I use Mother's Metal Polish to clean and brighten up my steering rack, A-arm's, and any other metal components. If you follow the instructions your metal components will have a bright shiny chrome look. It does take some elbow grease to make it look spectacular. I took pictures of my progress on each Friday during my cleaning stage to see the actual improvements. I didn't realize how much difference it looked until I got my pictures back. I was surprised and impressed. You don't realize the difference when you’re working on it on a nightly basis. I tool full advantage of cleaning my compartment when I had my engine being built long block style. I was working on it about every weeknight for just a couple of hours for about a month. I also had a few weekends in there too. I suggest wearing some crappy clothes because you will get then dirty.

 

Thanks for the plan. Any thought on cleaning underneigh?
I see where you addressed that. I guess you worked so you were not directly under it so the cleaner/grease didn't drip on you?
Is there any place else that you looked for and found other leaks?
Thanks


[Modified by BIG K, 7:51 AM 9/12/2002]

 

I put mine on a lift to do the bottom and sorry but I don't care for the purple stuff.......... someone on the Forum a couple weeks ago said they lowered their car because of it.............. it attacked the composite springs ............... ooops :lol: :lol: :lol: :seeya :flag

 

What else would you use?

 

Much of the initial road grime can be brushed off or wiped away with just some water (this doesnt get it clean.. just gets the top 400 layers off). I have found Dawn with some HOT water actualy does a pretty nice job, and is very inert.. I dont think there is anything it would damage. I use the purple stuff for something that is far away from anything that might be damaged, and use dawn and hot water for those more sensitive areas. Plus it leaves the engine compartment smelling lemmony fresh!!! ;)

-Mark

 

Thanks. I'll try some dishwashing soap first.
Would you try a steam cleaner if you could get one?

 

I use simple green unless I put the car on the lift to do it underneath /........then I use parts washing solvent on the real bad stuff..... :seeya