Engine degreaser ???
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 42
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From: Southington Ct
Engine degreaser ???
I'm rebuilding my engine and when its complete I will paint it. Any suggestions for degreasers to use to clean and prep for paint. Also, it's a straight 6 300 out of a 79 F100 any ideas of where I can get color codes for all engine compartment components for that year ?
Thanks
Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,701
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Can't help you with the color codes, but as far as engine degreaser, I scraped mine with a putty knife and then sprayed it with oven cleaner. The oven cleaner takes off grease and paint, so don't get it on anything you don't want the paint off of. I painted mine newer ford engine blue out of a can from walmart.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Honkytonkville
If you are pulling the motor that makes it very easy. I used gunk engine degreaser, the gel kind, let it set about 30 mins or so then took wirebrush to it(wear bad clothes here and eyewear) Then have ample brake cleaner and rinse with that. I like brake cleaner because it evaporates very quick off the block. As for paint, get creative. I like it to jump out at ya when you pop the hood. Through duplicolor you can get "grabber green" that is what color I used on my derby motor but "old ford blue" is a lighter blue and is very perty in my tough truck.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Likes: 24
For a final cleaning of cast iron parts I use Lacquer thinner.
Once dry ..prime with Zinc chromate and then apply engine paint.
On 79's the engine compartment was mainly natural grey of the galvanized material.
However, a semi-gloss black is often used.
Post the list of parts & I'll let you know what colour was what.
Ther is a Truck retoration book for sale on Amazon
Once dry ..prime with Zinc chromate and then apply engine paint.
On 79's the engine compartment was mainly natural grey of the galvanized material.
However, a semi-gloss black is often used.
Post the list of parts & I'll let you know what colour was what.
Ther is a Truck retoration book for sale on Amazon
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 424
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From: southern Indiana
If you want a quality finish I would rent a steam pressure washer at a rental store.Nothing melts off grease and oil on an engine or in the engine compartment like steam.Nothing runs a great looking truck more than opening the hood and seeing a greasy oily mess in the engine compartment.
Tim
Tim
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: charlotte nc
I painted the engine block on my 260 v8 with the color called "gunmetal" looks rear good, then I painted the covers and air cleaner a nice FORD red. The firewall and inter fenders are semi-gloss black and the rubber parts treated and cleaned with tire cleaner and sprayed down with armorall....
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
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If you rebuilt it, was it not hot tanked prior to any machine work?
That should have left you a bare surface that would have required little prep. A little rub down with some reducer would have taken care of any fingerprints from handling. You did paint it before you assembled it?
That should have left you a bare surface that would have required little prep. A little rub down with some reducer would have taken care of any fingerprints from handling. You did paint it before you assembled it?
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Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Honkytonkville
You don't always have to machine to rebuild. Actually I've done a few rebuilds without machine work. I ALWAYS hot tank engines if they are tore down, though.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,507
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From: Arlington,Wa
I think that Castrol Super Clean is da BOMB!! Spray it on....let it soak a few minutes....rinse it off with your garden hose. Steam and pressure washers are nice....but if you dont have access to one, then Super Clean will do the job. Do read the directions though...... 
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 101
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From: Eagle River, Alaska
Simple Green
A local POR15 dealer ran out of the degreaser they sell called Marine-Clean which doesnt leave a residue or film on the metal. He told me Simple Green works just as well if not better. Thats what I used for my engine bay and frame and so far its done well. Oh ya, I also rented a hotsie. Its a pressure washer with a boiler thats sprays high temp water... It just melts the dirt and grease away.
A local POR15 dealer ran out of the degreaser they sell called Marine-Clean which doesnt leave a residue or film on the metal. He told me Simple Green works just as well if not better. Thats what I used for my engine bay and frame and so far its done well. Oh ya, I also rented a hotsie. Its a pressure washer with a boiler thats sprays high temp water... It just melts the dirt and grease away.
