• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

How have you made your engine bay look "cleaner"?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Madness7645
  • Start date Start date Jun 19, 2019

Madness7645

Member
Jun 19, 2019
21
4
13
Tampa Bay
Jun 19, 2019
#1
  • Jun 19, 2019
  • #1
Hey there! "First time caller, long time listener"

Here is a pic of what my engine compartment looks like currently. I'm curious how some of you have "cleaned" up the looks under the hood of your mustangs and roughly how much it costs. How much time and effort did you invest aswell?

To me, mine looks too jam packed with wires everywhere. I've seen some look so clean but and have always wanted to do it myself but am worried about how much I would have to rip out to achieve it. This is my daily driver so a weekend project would be ideal.

If you could post pic's of your project or give me some tips or methods that you have used.

Thank you for your time and any help you can offer! It's much appreciated!

View attachment 629660
 

Rdub6

So while I wait to figure out my rear end issues
5 Year Member
Dec 29, 2017
3,954
2,936
153
Long Island, NY
Jun 19, 2019
#2
  • Jun 19, 2019
  • #2
There are, by far, better examples than my engine bay, but I’ve come a long way from where I started. My starting point was dirt, grease, acorns, leaves, ripped hood insulation (the beginnings of a squirrel nest).
I started with just a lot of elbow grease. If I could take it off to clean it, I did. Adding some zip ties here and there to tidy up wires also helped. But then the addiction kicked in. I did wire tucks on both sides, removed my intake and valve covers for paint jobs, and replaced a lot of components. Most everything is documented in my build thread, but there are plenty of other resources on here as well, along with access to some real high end engine detail pics and info.

Progress Thread - 2nd Fox Body - “The backorder project”

ok guys, I prob have a similar story to many of you. Had an 86 GT back in the early 90’s. Fast forward 20 something years, and I now have an 86 LX 5.0. It was fitted with the 87 and up front clip and I’ve just realized that it has 90-93 rear inner hatch panels that have round shock access...
www.stangnet.com

Here’s a pic of where I am now:


If I remember correctly, @CarMichael Angelo did a real nice write up in a thread about detailing the engine bay.

It can really be as simple or as extravagant as you want to make it.

Good luck and post pics of the progress.
 

James V

5 Year Member
Feb 26, 2017
409
144
63
Connecticut
Jun 19, 2019
#3
  • Jun 19, 2019
  • #3


I still have to zip tie/hide some wires. But even just redoing the wire looms and using black electrical taped helped me a little. My intake manifold is a little dull looking, I've been needing to clean it up or change it. Recently I spray painted my yellow oil dipstick to black, just so it doesnt stand out anymore.
 
Reactions: Rdub6

CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
10,641
8,909
234
Birmingham, al
Jun 19, 2019
#4
  • Jun 19, 2019
  • #4
Well.
First you remove the engine.
Then you weld all the holes shut.
Then you make cover plates for the frame rail valleys and you weld them on top of that.
Then you grind.
And you grind.
And you grind.
Then, you slather body putty on the places that are now mangulated by a grinding wheel.
And you sand.
And you sand.
And you sand.
Then you spray primer on top of the puttied up sheet metal.
And you sand.
And you sand.
And you sand.
Then you spray black satin paint on top of the primer, that is covering the body putty, that is covering the mangulated grinding marks, that are there from the welding...of the plates, and the holes..


Then,...you don't like the end result.

So you sand.
And you sand.
And you sand.

Then you spray more black satin paint on top of the sanded black satin paint. That is on top of the sanded down primer, that is covering the sanded down putty, that is covering the mangulated grinding marks, that are there from the welding....of the plates and the holes...

Then,.....you take your engine,....cut off two cylinders, add 6 throttle bodies, two headers, 4 cooling fans, one Chinee turbo, one Australian Wastegate, one custom made glass top box,.......and then sprinkle in some small, and big block Chevy sht for good measure..

Stir for one minute............

Wawhoomwah!

A perfectly clean engine bay, that anyone can have in only a weekends' hard work.
 
Reactions: General karthief, FastDriver, RaggedGT and 2 others

James V

5 Year Member
Feb 26, 2017
409
144
63
Connecticut
Jun 19, 2019
#5
  • Jun 19, 2019
  • #5
I wanted to relocate my battery, but all the wiring and adding grounds confuses me so I'm staying away from that to prevent a fire.
 

FastDriver

I was uncomfortably high & wearing a helmet
SN Certified Technician
Sep 5, 2001
6,089
2,691
224
Vass, NC
Jun 19, 2019
#6
  • Jun 19, 2019
  • #6
The factories have given up on it and just covered everything in plastic. Hmmm... Doesn't anyone make a plastic engine bay cover for fox bodies? hehe
 
Reactions: 90sickfox
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Considering widening my rear wheels, would like to verify my thoughts on fitment
  • 2000xp8
  • Jul 9, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
20
Views
377
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Wednesday at 12:30 PM
FastDriver
SN95 Desktop 363 Engine Combination - Looking for input
  • WhiteCobra95
  • Sep 8, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
11
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 6, 2025
Habu135
T
What's it Worth? 2002 GT conv/auto
  • tonydetesta
  • Jan 7, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
3
Views
638
What is it Worth?!?!? Jan 21, 2026
Mustang5L5
X
Free VE Table Corrections — Drop Your MSQ and a Datalog, I'll Do the Rest
  • X-cam34
  • Apr 12, 2026
  • Digital Self-tuning Forum
Replies
17
Views
620
Digital Self-tuning Forum Sunday at 11:05 PM
infamous
I
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
156
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?