clean/pretty engine compartments?
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
From: lincoln, NE
clean/pretty engine compartments?
has anyone here ever cleaned up an engine compartment, painted parts etc, just made it look pretty all around, i'm planning on doing this but i just want ideas first, i'm definitely going to paint the block, valve cover, upper & lower intake plenum's and pulleys (pulleys may end up powder-coated) but i was just looking for ideas for other things to do, maybe some good looking wire conduit?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 9
From: Acworth, GA
I use Westely's Bleach White every time I do any under the hood work. It cleans all the grease and dirt off of everything. I think it works better on a warmed up engine. As a bonus, it cleans my white letter tires really well.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 7
From: Des Moines, Iowa
Get a couple cans of some S100! It works great to get grime, dust, and grease off your engine and parts without harming anything else like elextrical connectors, wires, etc. Just spray on and rinse off... I use it on my engine bay and motorcycle. Works awesome!
Amazon.com: S100 Aerosol Total Motorcycle Cleaner: Automotive
Amazon.com: S100 Aerosol Total Motorcycle Cleaner: Automotive
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
i dont think alot of people really get to detailed in customizing the bays on these trucks. just because the emisions and vacum lines that would cover everything up/
id like to do a wire tuck and shave the bay on mine but its just not feesable to do that on a dd.
just go rattle can crazy and delete or tuck all the hoses so you can see the motor then have fun!
id like to do a wire tuck and shave the bay on mine but its just not feesable to do that on a dd.
just go rattle can crazy and delete or tuck all the hoses so you can see the motor then have fun!
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FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 12,277
Likes: 1,285
From: Central Mississippi
My truck spent the first 12 years of its life running down Georgia dirt roads. Its engine bay was an even coat of rust red (when I got it). As I've worked on it, I just clean a lil' bit at a time with some hot water & careful application of Castrol Superclean, usually on a rag or tied to a stick to get to areas That are tight. I scrub, wirebrush or gind, then paint whatever I have out when doing repairs. Its managed to come through the winter rather decent.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 475
Likes: 1
From: MI
Heres some info if you plan on cleaning yours and some pics 
... i plan on painting the plastic cover on the top, the actual intake where the air filter is, and the plastic parts of the intake and a few other things metallic silver to match the pinstripping on the truck. Also will be installing new valve covers on the new motor and painting those metallic silver as well. When i get a new air compressor i will be doing some airbrush designs on it as well 
I own a detailing business and i no longer offer engine bay cleaning just because no matter if you use a pressure washer or a nozzle on mist if water wants to get in the cracks or electrical parts it will and can cause problems. I do clean mine but i cover the alternator and the distributor with a bag and tap the bottom so no water can go up inside. Let the truck idle for a few mins to warm up the engine so its easier to get all the gunk off, buy a nozzle for your hose and put it on mist and go over the engine then spray everything with a 50/50 mix of water and simple green. Let it sit for a good 5-10 mins then scrub it good with a rag and a toothbrush for tight spots and rinse on mist then turn the truck on and let it idle to burn off the water (you dont want it to sit cause thats how it starts to seep into the cracks) After it drys you can use a applicator pad and some tire shine or i use Black Magic's Pro Shine Protectant to condtion the hoses and plastic parts and also gives em a good shine. Best mod to almost every truck engine is a good cleaning 
95 f150 5.8 351w
Heres a pic of my old 98 z28 engine bay
Heres a buddys 2000 durango 5.2 4x4 engine bay i did
... i plan on painting the plastic cover on the top, the actual intake where the air filter is, and the plastic parts of the intake and a few other things metallic silver to match the pinstripping on the truck. Also will be installing new valve covers on the new motor and painting those metallic silver as well. When i get a new air compressor i will be doing some airbrush designs on it as well I own a detailing business and i no longer offer engine bay cleaning just because no matter if you use a pressure washer or a nozzle on mist if water wants to get in the cracks or electrical parts it will and can cause problems. I do clean mine but i cover the alternator and the distributor with a bag and tap the bottom so no water can go up inside. Let the truck idle for a few mins to warm up the engine so its easier to get all the gunk off, buy a nozzle for your hose and put it on mist and go over the engine then spray everything with a 50/50 mix of water and simple green. Let it sit for a good 5-10 mins then scrub it good with a rag and a toothbrush for tight spots and rinse on mist then turn the truck on and let it idle to burn off the water (you dont want it to sit cause thats how it starts to seep into the cracks) After it drys you can use a applicator pad and some tire shine or i use Black Magic's Pro Shine Protectant to condtion the hoses and plastic parts and also gives em a good shine. Best mod to almost every truck engine is a good cleaning 95 f150 5.8 351w
Heres a pic of my old 98 z28 engine bay
Heres a buddys 2000 durango 5.2 4x4 engine bay i did
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
Likes: 20
From: Caracas, Venezuela
Lol! i hear you Fred, mine is very dirty, but luckily enough it mostly come from the leaks in the steering, will even though created a very dirty engine bay, also keept it very well protected from rust.
New User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Where did you get that intake hose at? Me likey.
