Proper approach to engine cleaning (not detailing)

[mpierce9]

Hello, in order to identify if anything is leaking I'd like to loosely clean my engine and engine bay. I'm not looking to take this thing to the show or anything I'd just like to degrease it and spray it down to get rid of the muck. But i would like to do it safely and in a way that doesn't damage anything. Tell me if i'm missing something.

I believe the approach would be

• Remove the air cleaner and intake
• Cover the carburetor and distributor with a plastic bag
• Soak it with purple power or similar cleaning agent
• Let it sit for about an hour
• Hose it down

Does that cover the basics and keep my engine safe? below are images for you to judge, it's hard to tell but the valve covers and break booster are covered with muck. Along with pretty much everything else.


These aren't intended to be glammer shots.