Cleaning engines - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hook'em · 08-17-2004, 04:09 PM

After looking at all of the great engines in the engine pic thread, I was wondering the best way to clean grime off of an engine. Any advise?

**Yukon Jack** · 08-17-2004, 04:21 PM

I pressure washed mine first, then used lots of Castrol Super Clean and scraped and then used a tooth brush to continue cleaning. Finished by sparying it with, I believe, lacquer thinner to remove any remaining residue. Then I finally felt it was clean enough to paint.

Hook'em · 08-17-2004, 04:27 PM

My main concern with pressure washing is blowing something off and not knowing it, or damaging some part that does not like water. This engine is in my truck and running now, which leads to a follow-up question: Do you keep the engine running when pressure washing?

stllookn · 08-17-2004, 04:27 PM

Easy-Off oven cleaner works great on the oily mess too. I used that on the bottom of my cab and on my frame. It can be hard on plastic items but wire coating should not be bothered. It won't take off the paint so it can't be that tough! I would not get it on my finished paint job however. Hit it with the high pressure washer before and after to get the loose stuff off or even a hose will work fine.

There are other environmentally friendly products like Simple Green but I have not found that they work as well as the oven cleaner.

70short/step · 08-17-2004, 05:50 PM

Oven Cleaner works Great But, DO NOT let it sit on anything aluminum for any length of time! It will turn it a real dark ugly color!
70short/step

Tx Firefighter · 08-17-2004, 05:55 PM

Gunk engine brite from Wal-Mart works real good.

70-Chevy · 08-17-2004, 07:23 PM

ill second the walmart gunk cleaner also. Wroked great for mine.

ratrod67 · 08-17-2004, 07:55 PM

I use Castrol Super Clean. I always cover the distributor with a ziplock bag and rubber bands. Then I spray the super clean on a cold motor and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then I hit it with a second round. Do a little scrubbing and then spray it off with the spray nozzle and the hose. Then I remove the bag and start the engine. Usually your be ready for primer and paint. The more stuff you can remove( pullies, fan, water pump, ect) the better it will look. It gives you a chance to detail those as well and you'll end up proud to pop the hood.

cheyenne10 · 08-18-2004, 12:54 AM

I like results from Castrol but have had paint streaking on adjacent panels on oxidized paint. I have waxed most of it out but beware. It will also remove some engine area paints. (air cleaner, etc) also gets to factotry firewall markings too. Still with the cleaning power of it used with pressure washer it does wonders quick.

08-17-2004, 04:09 PM	#1
Hook'em Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 858	Cleaning engines After looking at all of the great engines in the engine pic thread, I was wondering the best way to clean grime off of an engine. Any advise? __________________ Hook'em

08-17-2004, 04:21 PM	#2
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,689	I pressure washed mine first, then used lots of Castrol Super Clean and scraped and then used a tooth brush to continue cleaning. Finished by sparying it with, I believe, lacquer thinner to remove any remaining residue. Then I finally felt it was clean enough to paint. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

08-17-2004, 04:27 PM	#3
Hook'em Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 858	My main concern with pressure washing is blowing something off and not knowing it, or damaging some part that does not like water. This engine is in my truck and running now, which leads to a follow-up question: Do you keep the engine running when pressure washing? Attached Images __________________ Hook'em

08-17-2004, 04:27 PM	#4
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Easy-Off oven cleaner works great on the oily mess too. I used that on the bottom of my cab and on my frame. It can be hard on plastic items but wire coating should not be bothered. It won't take off the paint so it can't be that tough! I would not get it on my finished paint job however. Hit it with the high pressure washer before and after to get the loose stuff off or even a hose will work fine. There are other environmentally friendly products like Simple Green but I have not found that they work as well as the oven cleaner. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

08-17-2004, 05:55 PM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Gunk engine brite from Wal-Mart works real good. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

08-17-2004, 05:50 PM	#5
70short/step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,579	Oven Cleaner works Great But, DO NOT let it sit on anything aluminum for any length of time! It will turn it a real dark ugly color! 70short/step

08-17-2004, 07:23 PM	#7
70-Chevy -Chris Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Moyock, NC Posts: 622	ill second the walmart gunk cleaner also. Wroked great for mine. __________________ 1970 Chevy C-10 P/U, Shortbed, Fleetside - 5/7 drop, 496, TH400, 12 bolt. BUILD THREAD - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=404481 2012 F250 Super Duty P/U - intake, exhaust, tuner, 4" lift with 35's 2017 Chevy Suburban (Wifes Car) - Fully Loaded & Stock "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." Ronald Reagan, President of the United States; 1985

08-17-2004, 07:55 PM	#8
ratrod67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 2,269	I use Castrol Super Clean. I always cover the distributor with a ziplock bag and rubber bands. Then I spray the super clean on a cold motor and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then I hit it with a second round. Do a little scrubbing and then spray it off with the spray nozzle and the hose. Then I remove the bag and start the engine. Usually your be ready for primer and paint. The more stuff you can remove( pullies, fan, water pump, ect) the better it will look. It gives you a chance to detail those as well and you'll end up proud to pop the hood.

08-18-2004, 12:54 AM	#9
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	Castrol super clean I like results from Castrol but have had paint streaking on adjacent panels on oxidized paint. I have waxed most of it out but beware. It will also remove some engine area paints. (air cleaner, etc) also gets to factotry firewall markings too. Still with the cleaning power of it used with pressure washer it does wonders quick. __________________ Bob



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