Washing in engine bay

Slowinski

Slowinski

Junior Member
Hey guys,

Just wondering if it would be wise to wash inside the engine bay? I have yet to start working on the engine since its 30+ year sit. Theres about half an inch of cake on various spots on the engine. I guess what would be the best way to clean this off? May seem like a stupid question, but since its sat for so long I don't want to do any more harm than needed.

Thanks,
S
 
Disconnect the battery. Then wrap aluminum foil tightly around anything you don't want to get wet. You can crush the foil to fit nice and snug around individual components like the coil, carb distributor, etc.
 
Slowinski said:
Hey guys,

Just wondering if it would be wise to wash inside the engine bay? I have yet to start working on the engine since its 30+ year sit. Theres about half an inch of cake on various spots on the engine. I guess what would be the best way to clean this off? May seem like a stupid question, but since its sat for so long I don't want to do any more harm than needed.

Thanks,
S
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I'm with Mike on this one ! Used to take every old car that ever owned to pressure wash place and made it look super clean. Only cause for concern to me, was water in dissy and around plugs/wires. The wires/plugs can be easily blown clear of water. The dist can be covered with a plastic bag (what I did) and water blown away if it gets past bag. Now this is the easiest method, IMO. You can make it as complicated as you want:) ! Good luck !

BTW...I would never do this procedure with the 'moderns', as I do not know if you can keep h2o out of computers, etc ?
 
If you have an half inch of crud on inside the engine bay I would first take a putty knife and scrape off whatever you can. After that I would pressure wash it. Since this car has been sitting for 30 years I'm assuming that you will be changing the plug wires and the wiring loom.
 
i use easy off oven cleaner after i scrape off all the big stuff i can, you can find it at most dollar stores, i spray it on after sealing all electric parts and carb like was stated in another post, i let it dry the either hose it off or if you have on pressure wash it, be aware easy off removers paint oil grease dirt, so be carefull where you use it, it takes every thing down to bare metal
 
I use the purple cleaner (and lots of it) with a bristle brush that you can get into crevices. It does a super job on oil and grease. Then pressure wash
 
ford3 said:
i use easy off oven cleaner after i scrape off all the big stuff i can, you can find it at most dollar stores, i spray it on after sealing all electric parts and carb like was stated in another post, i let it dry the either hose it off or if you have on pressure wash it, be aware easy off removers paint oil grease dirt, so be carefull where you use it, it takes every thing down to bare metal
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+1 I've done this too and it works great. But whose driveway are you going to do this in?
 
Nice '47 S - similar car here with heavy build-up after 37K original miles and decades of sitting. Removed all wiring harnesses, plug wires & generator first (have had very bad experiences when not doing this), then wrapped carb & dist in plastic. Covered front end components (drag link, tie rod ends, etc., with plastic). Purple stuff w/brush then power wash. Clean as a pin. Do it in your neighbor's driveway.
 
Thanks guys for all the suggestions! I have a gravel spot out back where I can get it all nice and clean. Just waiting for it to pop above freezing. Only bad thing about Canada; Its so damn cold.

len47merc said:
Nice '47 S - similar car here with heavy build-up after 37K original miles and decades of sitting. Removed all wiring harnesses, plug wires & generator first (have had very bad experiences when not doing this), then wrapped carb & dist in plastic. Covered front end components (drag link, tie rod ends, etc., with plastic). Purple stuff w/brush then power wash. Clean as a pin. Do it in your neighbor's driveway.
Click to expand...

Great looking Merc! Thats the image I keep in mind while working on mine while mumbling 'one day' Ha.
 
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