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12-16-2025, 11:46 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Central Oklahoma
Posts: 266
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Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
I am about to pull an engine. The engine bay is a little greasy but not real bad. What cleaners have you had success with for such an application?
Thanks!
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1972 C20 402/TH400/3.54 Highlander 1969 Camaro RS with SS trim, 1967 Camaro RS/SS (sold)  1983 GMC Sierra Classic 2500 crew cab (sold) 1972 Chevy C10 Cheyenne Super (sold) 1984 Chevy Silverado C20 crew cab (bought new by my uncle, in the family until I sold it) |
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12-17-2025, 12:01 AM
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#2 |
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Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: TN.
Posts: 9,870
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
Simple Green works great if itis not caked up grease.
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________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ The early bird gets the worm, But the second mouse gets the cheese 85 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build |
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12-17-2025, 12:44 AM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 16,391
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
If it runs and drives I drive it to the car wash and use a can of Gunk engine degreaser and then wash it with the car wash. Best to do it at a time when the car wash manager isn't there though. Take a can of WD 40, roll of paper towels and a screwdriver to get the cap off in case it gets condensation inside the cap. I flat towed my 71 to the car wash with the nose off because it was pretty nasty before I put the Cad 500 in it.
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Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around. |
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12-17-2025, 12:50 AM
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#4 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Edgerton OH USA
Posts: 687
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
I remember using Zip Strip to strip the paint off of a Corvette at a car wash in the early 70s. We did clean up the mess though. At least that's how I like to remember it.
Tom
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'69 swb stepside in progress. '59 Corvette lifetime project |
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12-17-2025, 02:38 PM
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#5 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: San Ramon,CA
Posts: 1,070
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
I've had great luck with Purple Power in a spray bottle, but it does require rinsing
Castrol Super clean was almost as good The Zep All-Purpose degreaser takes a few minutes to soften things up. I mostly use this for things I can soak in a bucket, then brush now. Not as fast as the other two, but it's cheap
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1970 C10 Custom longbed 350/350 “Carburetors are forgiving, timing is not” — Thunderhead289 |
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12-17-2025, 02:43 PM
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#6 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: TN.
Posts: 9,870
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
__________________
________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ The early bird gets the worm, But the second mouse gets the cheese 85 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build |
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12-17-2025, 03:12 PM
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#7 |
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Ram-A-Lam-A-Ding-Dong
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 11,899
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
I've also used Purple Power, but any bare metal should have at least clear painted on it to minimize rust.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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12-17-2025, 06:25 PM
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#8 |
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Active Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: chicagoland
Posts: 108
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
Gunk.
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12-18-2025, 01:26 AM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 412
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
[QUOTE=Getter-Done;9415114]Oil Eater works well also.
https://www.amazon.com/Oil-Eater-Ori.../dp/B089VLJZQY I like this so much , I buy it by the 5 gallon can. The best out there Vic Last edited by LockDoc; 12-18-2025 at 04:27 PM. |
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12-18-2025, 02:15 PM
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#10 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: TN.
Posts: 9,870
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
[quote=vics stuff;9415204]
Quote:
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________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ The early bird gets the worm, But the second mouse gets the cheese 85 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build |
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12-18-2025, 07:43 PM
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#11 |
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The Niner
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Broad Brook, CT
Posts: 2,588
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
Project Farm, as usual, has a good comparison test.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHISaDS1wb0
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"A good racer is one whose head is in communication with his balls." - Richie Evans 1970 C/20 - 402/TH400/3.54s - 74K miles 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 - Wheatland Yellow Niner Progression Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=697183 Classic Trucks article: https://www.motortrend.com/features/...et-c20-driven/ |
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12-17-2025, 06:36 PM
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#12 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: North Texas
Posts: 4,035
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
Pretty hard to beat a pressure washer, assuming you have access to one. And start by spraying on a solvent-based degreaser like Gunk Engine Cleaner.
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Mike 1969 Custom/10 LWB -- owned for 37 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. Hedman stainless headers. Old Air installation in progress. 1982 Custom Deluxe 10 SWB -- converted from 250-six to roller cam 350 w/ Vortec heads -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB, 305, TH350C -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) which I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 26 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! |
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12-17-2025, 07:39 PM
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#13 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 8,264
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
Another vote for Oil Eater. I mix it 50/50 with water in a 1 gallon sprayer.
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I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson 1972 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD 1963 Corvair Monza Spyder Turbo convertible 1995 Camaro Z/28 |
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12-17-2025, 08:18 PM
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#14 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2024
Location: Readington, NJ
Posts: 88
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
Super Clean. I buy it in a gallon bottle. NaOH -based degreasers will cut grease the best. Use a pressure washer to blast off the softened grime. You may also need to use a plastic scraper to get rid of the decades-old crust.
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1972 Chevy C-20, LWB, Fleet, 350, SM465 4-spd, dark olive green, stock, restored. 
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12-18-2025, 10:42 PM
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#15 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Central Oklahoma
Posts: 266
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm sure one (or more) of these will do what I need.
__________________
1972 C20 402/TH400/3.54 Highlander 1969 Camaro RS with SS trim, 1967 Camaro RS/SS (sold) 1983 GMC Sierra Classic 2500 crew cab (sold) 1972 Chevy C10 Cheyenne Super (sold) 1984 Chevy Silverado C20 crew cab (bought new by my uncle, in the family until I sold it) |
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12-19-2025, 12:14 PM
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#16 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Waterford California
Posts: 2,892
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
I personally use "Awesome" citrus cleaner available at your local Dollar General for about $8 per gallon. I use it full strength...works well.
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12-19-2025, 12:50 PM
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#17 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,689
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
Depends on condition IMO. If it's kind of bad and a driver then spray away. I've used Por15 and Super Clean that work great. If it's better than that then detail it with cloth, a paint brush, perhaps a little dish soap or simple green in a water bottle. I made a bonnet on a stick to reach the firewall.
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Tony 1971 C10 Custom Deluxe SWB 402/400TH A/C I developed an assembly information kit for restoring my truck from nuts and bolts. It's written in Assy. order, short & simple, packed with all OEM hardware ID; castings; part ID; 100s of part numbers; wiring simple - Resource, and trivial too. Much info. applies to all 67-72 GM, A/C vehicles, esp. trucks W/O saying. Full search ability, including to 700+ images of illus., parts, charts, Assy., points of interest, cab, bed, & front clip cart plans- Specials and cores were serviced out and R excluded e.g. front/rear glass, body/paint, engine core, rebuilt hinges, steering box, trans, etc. The project was in-line with long former professions developing process, policy, specs, demo, written for novices, admin., policy, engineers, development, systems & test - Public & govt 2, gross. Sell soft copy cheaply, PM if interested.Build thread:https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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12-19-2025, 01:08 PM
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#18 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,941
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Re: Engine Bay Cleaner Recommendations
Only way get it really clean is a soapy pressure washer with any of the de-greasers previously applied, personally I use purple power or super clean. I've tried Simple green, but it didn't quite do the job I was expecting
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