best way to clean my engine?

fiveoho

15 Year Member

Apr 28, 2005

1,958

16

69

TN

Feb 7, 2008

#1

• Feb 7, 2008

• #1

the big 3 day detail is coming up soon to get the stang ready for nice weather. i want to get the engine looking spic and span too. hows the best way to clean it? its not nasty and not oily. actually its fairly clean just dusty and such. what can i spray on the motor that will not discolor anything, wont hurt the paint if it splashes on it, wont eat any wires or hoses, etc. ? is there anything i can just spray on and rub a little and hose off? im scared to death about getting any electronics wet. what all would need to be bagged to prevent this?

 

Zero Signal

Active Member

Feb 24, 2003

2,633

2

46

Tucson, AZ

Feb 7, 2008

#2

• Feb 7, 2008

• #2

I'm usually ok with bagging the distributor, main harness at the firewall, battery and fuse box. With that said, I always just used the simple green spray on/spray off at the car wash (being carefull not to get the high pressure hose too close to anything). I did that all the time for about 5 years. When I pulled the motor, it was fairly clean and there wasn't any damage to the gaskets either.

I heard there are some steam cleaners that work pretty well too. Some detail shops will use an acid wash that I'm sure I'm comfortable with.

 

9

95five-oh

New Member

Jun 25, 2006

158

0

0

Mount Airy, MD

Feb 7, 2008

#3

• Feb 7, 2008

• #3

like zero signal said simple green is pretty safe and does a good job. I cover the distributer, wires and battery then soak everything in simple green, let it sit for a few mins then hose it off good and dry it.

 

SN95StangMan

New Member

Jul 5, 2003

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0

Lynwood, CA

Feb 7, 2008

#4

• Feb 7, 2008

• #4

95five-oh said:

like zero signal said simple green is pretty safe and does a good job. I cover the distributer, wires and battery then soak everything in simple green, let it sit for a few mins then hose it off good and dry it.

Click to expand...

+1 more for the simple green. A small brush will help if there are any really greasy spots, not that there should be.

 

fiveoho

15 Year Member

Apr 28, 2005

1,958

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69

TN

Feb 7, 2008

#5

• Feb 7, 2008

• #5

cool

sounds like simple green it is. just need to make sure im careful with my electronics

 

RIO5.0

15 Year Member

Feb 16, 2001

6,892

8

128

N.H.

Feb 7, 2008

#6

• Feb 7, 2008

• #6

I use WD40 all the time for this....specially if the motors fairly clean. It'll put a nice shine on all the wires and rubber while cleaning up the grime.

If it gets on any paint, no harm done..I use it for removing bugs and road grime before I wax. I always detail the firewall with WD.. Just mist everything than use rags/ q-tips to clean it up.

 

95BlueStallion

My assy trans to myself

15 Year Member

Feb 22, 2007

5,125

3,091

214

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Feb 7, 2008

#7

• Feb 7, 2008

• #7

I would try not to get water or cleaner in the alternator as well. That crapped out on my buddy's car after he didnt know better and wasnt careful spraying around it...

 

WHITE94COBRA

New Member

Nov 14, 2003

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HUNTINGTON BEACH

Feb 7, 2008

#8

• Feb 7, 2008

• #8

I just did mine the other day and it came out awesome, Simple green (full strength). First I sprayed my dist. down completly with silicone spray and wd40 on the inside, then sprayed the whole engine down with simple green, then high pressure and hot water blasted it. after it was nice and dry, I used the Maguires rubber and vinyl conditioner on all the hoses and black parts, then sprayed silicone spray on my battery and cables (wipe the excess of this off). Engine looks like new, and I never have a problem starting it afterword.

 

Suspect

Active Member

Aug 25, 2004

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26

GA.

Feb 7, 2008

#9

• Feb 7, 2008

• #9

put it in the washer, der.

like everyone else stated, simple green and some brushes.