What is the best way to clean a engine that has been sitting for 30 years before I paint it.. It has everything from dirt to greese on it

 

Warm up the engine & get a quality engine shampoo. Rinse & Repeat!!!

 

You might do a search on the topic. I remember a couple comments from a previous thread were 1) Use oven cleaner then rise really well. 2) use Kerosene. I know there were some other ideas but those are the two that I remember. John

 

Check prior threads and posts

 

tape over areas that aren't to be painted (preferably with duct tape - tough/waterproof), trim edges of excess tape (use razor or small hammer), spray down untaped areas thoroughly with heavy duty degreaser, use pressure cleaner to rinse degreaser, and spray block with 2-3 coats of engine enamel once it dries. Peel-off duct tape afterwards...

 

Try this previous post: https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ng-engine.html

 

FYI:
a small hammer can be used to lightly tap the edges of the duct taped areas, thus cutting them off perfectly...

 

Take it out,clean it, clean it and clean it some more. When you think it's clean enough ...................clean it again/

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...d-turtles.html

 

I scraped all built up sludge first and sprayed an engine degreaser and rinsed. I wasn't happy with the results so I tried GOOP hand cleaner. Put it on with a paint brush, let it sit overnight and put more on the next day. All the while i kept working the corners and crevaces with a small paint brush. Rinsed and did again. I was surprised at how well the goop worked.

 

It really all depends on how much work you want to do. If you are leaving the engine in the car & don't want to damage any other parts than things link oven cleaner & other really caustic cleaners would not be wise. Engine shampoo works you just need to make sure the engine is hot to soften everything up & it may take more than one application. Getting as much of the heavy deposits off by hand first is always a really good idea using a scraper etc.

 

I've used oven cleaner with good results. Just make sure you wear gloves and do it in a ventilated area.

 

I've used kerosene with a straight stiff brush in the past then power washed it with pretty good results.

 

I bought a case of brake cleaner, 1st I used some degreaser and a brush.

Thread re: my 235 Chev in my 49 GMC http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=407740

I have a very dirty/greasy/rusty 455 in need also.

Before and after pics please !

 

Thanks to all for some great tips

 

Well I actually did this in my backyard. Got my engine on the stand and brought it out to the grassy area. Oh and seeming that I am a complete genus I did this in the middle of summer, about 90 degrees out. First thing of advice, don't do this in the summer

Well I took it completely apart down to the bare block and first went at it with the wire wheel on a drill that I could plug into the wall. Then I went at the surfaces where gasket would go I grinded them clean with a rough pad of scotch brite. [[Careful not the hit those damn cylinder walls!]] I also used for soap, this stuff they sell at Home Depot called, Purple Degreaser made by Zep I think. This stuff is AWESOME! Before I painted anything I would spray everything down with Prep-All and wait about 15 minutes, dry it off with the air compressor and then paint it up. Really didn't turn out THAT bad. I also used a parts cleaner machine we have at the auto shop at school :P

Oh and! A cool trick I made up, to re-use the oil filler tube, put a socket in there that is just a tad over the size and force it in there, then put a pait of channel locks on the tube with the socket acting as a backing, It should back right off! What a cool trick

 

Why did you paint your engine Chevy orange?

 

Yes I did!!! Keep in mind I'm 16 and really don't care about what brand its associated with, its all the same on the inside, right? Oh and I wanted a color that would jump out.

 

It definitely jumps out. Maybe it isn't a Chevy orange afterall. I guess it could be a sun faded Oldsmobile red.