Engine cleaning

As i take my car to more and more shows i end up getting asked questions, or wanting to show people something for tips/advice or just ideas...But My engine compartment as you can tell from the pics are horribly dirty/greasy. What would be the best method for de-greasing my engine, and is there anything i should do prior to de-greasing (i.e. cover up areas to avoid soaking with de greaser or water)
Still haven't gotten that Air Filter on, Need to do that soon, Will worry about painting when i have the time/supplies to do so.

Thanks for all tips/advice!

 

put an air cleaner on,it will prevent a fire, get your engine hot,put a plastic bag over the carbuerator and distributor, spray down with a can of gunk engine degreaser,wait about 10 minutes and hose off

 

I was thinking the exact same thing last night. Not trying to hi-jack but I was washing and waxing last night and trying to clean up my engine compartment also and not knowing what to use.

Can it be used on the undeneath of the hood as well? I'll read the can when i'm out later today but just curious since I won't be out and about for another couple of hours.

 

What old goose said, or use a pressure washer being careful around sensitive areas, including where rubber hoses connect to things, carb, alternator, where the valve covers connect to the heads, just use common sense. Don't hit pressure washer close to places where you wouldn't want water accidentally getting into. Easy on the radiator, as well.

When you are done, you may have a couple areas of thicker grease, especially stuck in cracks and crevices. Take a 2" wide or 1-1/2" wide cheap paint brush, and cut the bristles off until there is only 3/4" -1" of bristle left, and hit it again with the Gunk spray, and let it sit, then hit with the paint brush. Rinse. Repeat as needed.

 

small steam cleaners

work well too

 

Alright, Thanks everyone. Busy with car shows today, one from 10-1 and then another from 4-dark but i'll see if i can find some Gunk tomorrow and get her all prettied up...well, Kinda.

 

Get an air cleaner on that poor engine. Even a cheapy little chrome cleaner is better than nothing. Any engine degreaser will clean the engine and compartment well. You may have ignition issues after you get it all wet though.

 

I have used household oven cleaner with good results.

 

Yep and then the engine smells lemon'y fresh too. LOL.

 

Stay away from the super clean spray on , it will discolor you paints! Probably any strong alkalide will dis color. If in dought try a little down low in a not obvious area. Also how do you keep the cater carb from shaking apart?

 

To increase access, re-move, degrease, sand and re-paint the schock tower braces., and replace after cleaning the engine. Paint ther tops of ther shocks to match the motor

 

Lol, I do like lemony fresh smelling! I'll try to find some spare change to pick up engine degreaser though. I haven't had any issues with the carb since i tightened it down about 7 months ago, It was vibrating so bad it started to vibrate loose but no problems with it since then. I have the original air filter when i can find it. Needs a fresh coat of paint but i dont have the money for now. I plan to do a lot of re-painting after i find work and i'll really clean it up then, but for now i just dont have any money to put into it. Maybe i'll go look for the filter before i head out to another show, One man left the show not to happy after he went to leave and his Buick 400 GS slipped into reverse and rolled backwards into a newer 2000's hyundai SUV. Lucky for both parties the damage was nothing serious, screws for the license plate scratched the hell out of the buicks bumper but they didn't go to insurance because no damage was bad enough to worry about. just some deep bumper scratches and a bent license plate.

 

Go to your Local Dollar store, Dollar General Etc. And buy something call "LA'S Totaly Awsome" it's only a buck a bottle and it is amazing stuff. I clean our equipment with it.

 

Does it come in Orange/Lavender? The Degreaser and Spot remover?

 

Should i let my engine completely cool prior to applying?