I've got a 56 Ford Fairlane that I've been trying to clean. I have been chipping caked on grease; it's hard as a rock! The grease is actually motor oil that came from the engine's road draft tube.

I've tried a pressure washer (to no avail), wire brushes, and Craftsman screwdrivers. The screwdrivers are most effective at removing it, but it's tedious work and it scratches the metal.

The only solvent that seems to soften the stuff is WD-40 (I've finally found a good use for WD-40!). Any other ideas?

TIA,

 

There are several threads here on parts and engine cleaning, give them a look see.

 

Take it from a guy who has worked on old farm equipment...
Soak the grease in diesel fuel - it softens it up - and then go nuts with the pressure washer. Remember Soaking longer is always better.
But when you get to the really tough stuff - its scraper time!
My Two Cents!

 

I have to agree with quad soaking in fuel is the best choice and a good pressure wash is about you best bet

glad to see another Monty fan!!!
"your mother was a hanster and your father smelled of eldaberries!!"

 

Thanks for the replies, guys.

FYI, I was cleaning the 45 year old 292 short block. It, too, had hardened grease caked onto it. I realize now that the hardened grease is just like asphalt; a mixture of tar and sand. Jeepers, that stuff is hard to loosen.

I mixed a solution of Red Devel lye and laundry detergent in water. Works great on the grease, but it's rough on the hands.
I'll try the diesel fuel tomorrow, maybe mix it with lye and detergent. I'll post the results.

Paul

"Go away or I'll taunt you again."

 

Your leftover auto tranny fluid makes a very good degreaser. Soak the area well and then pressure wash it clean. i have used this with very good results. Cant beat the price and much easier to wash away than you might think.

 

Well you could use some Benzene or 1,1,1-trichloroethane ...Just kidding! Try some elbow greese! Only thing I can think of.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Aug-02 AT 11:16 PM (EST)]Knock off the big stuff and try oven cleaner. For final clean up before paint use lacquer thinner and astiff parts brush,followed by soap and water.JK34

 

Ditto JK34 i to have had very good results with oven cleaner(easy off)spray it on and let it sit then pressure wash.Unfortunatly the tough stuff has to be scraped.



"Wink wink,nudge nudge,say no more say no more!!"Gotta love M P






Wiz

An Equal Opportunity Truck Lover!

http://www.clubfte.com/users/thewiz427/index.html

 

Ya know, the way that leaking power steering fluid ate up my new asphalt driveway.... might be worth a try.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 18-Aug-02 AT 11:40 PM (EST)]Aw, heck Paul - I just go after it with a grit blaster. MORE POWER - Uuuhhh Uuuhhh Uuuhhh.

It takes longer to remove the crud than to remove rust since the crud absorbs a lot of the impact energy of the grit but it's a lot easier on my old elbows and hands than scraping it off. On the other hand, it's a lot harder on the paint and anything else you may not want to remove!

So take that baby out back on a BIG plastic sheet, jack 'er up on BIG stands, and have at it with a BIG grit blaster! Nothing like a little wanton destruction with MORE POWER to do your soul some good.

Oh yeah, put your beer back in the shop before you start unless you like crunchy stuff at the bottom of the can.

George

"Some call me ... Tim." ... Monty Python Group

 

I found a trick to use with sludge caked on the inside of valve covers by accident. I would lightly wash the inside of the valve covers with a paintbrush and gas, wait five minutes and do it again. Drain all the liquid off, and lay the valve cover out in the hot sun for about four hours. After that, I would lightly tap the cover with a hammer. All the sludge, even the stuff behind the baffels, would fall off and you would be left with bare metal. No scraping or other work. The gas dries out the varnish and it shrinks and cracks in the sun. Any disurbance then makes it fall off. Probably works with just smoothe surfaces.

 

Beware of highly flammable degreasers (lacquer thinner). My hose didn't quite reach so I moved the vehicle a little closer and discovered how to make a car go woof.

Todd.

 

OOOPS! What happened?