Engine Cleaning

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83hrstolds

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jul 9, 2018
19
4
3
Hello, recently acquired an 83' hurst with the stock 307, and lemme tell ya, engine bay looks like its never been cleaned before. theres about 3-4 mm of grime on the valve covers and loads of dust. any tips would be greatly appreciated an the best way to clean that off and get back to that original black shine. ive heard covering the carb and distributor and vacuuming with a brush then going to soapy wooder LOL. and scrubbing with brushes also heard people using purple power, whatever that is. Id like to no have to pull the engine to clean it. Also, just replaced the hood light, thought it was burned out but still doesnt turn on?
 

buick7332

Master Mechanic
Oct 21, 2014
350
589
93
N.E. Philadelphia area
Hello, recently acquired an 83' hurst with the stock 307, and lemme tell ya, engine bay looks like its never been cleaned before. theres about 3-4 mm of grime on the valve covers and loads of dust. any tips would be greatly appreciated an the best way to clean that off and get back to that original black shine. ive heard covering the carb and distributor and vacuuming with a brush then going to soapy wooder LOL. and scrubbing with brushes also heard people using purple power, whatever that is. Id like to no have to pull the engine to clean it. Also, just replaced the hood light, thought it was burned out but still doesnt turn on?
Simple green and a lot of toothbrushes
 

fleming442

Captain Tenneal
Dec 26, 2013
13,046
24,214
113
I use Purple Power (generic Castrol Super Clean); I never had good results with Simple Green. Spray it on a warm engine, let it soak, spray some more, scrub, rinse, and repeat if necessary. IT WILL eat asphalt, so do it on concrete or dirt/grass/gravel.
 
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Streetbu

Know it all, that doesn't
Supporting Member
May 22, 2011
3,721
11,525
113
Central NY
Purple power and hook your garden hose up to your hot water tank. Soak cold engine with degreaser, let sit 10 mins, rinse with HOT water, repeat one more time. Then scrub areas that are still dirty. Let sit for an hour or two to dry off and start her up and immediately look for oil leaks
 
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565bbchevy

Geezer
Aug 8, 2011
9,590
12,611
113
Michigan
I have always had good luck with Gunk foamy engine cleaner on a warm engine and either wash it with a power washer at home if it is just dirty but if it is really grimy and oily I would take it up to the $.25 car wash which is really more like $1.50 around here just to turn it on.
 
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78chevolds

Greasemonkey
Jun 25, 2013
126
50
28
RE: Hood Light. The hood light for Olds only is engaged when the headlights are on. At least for the 78 A body Cutlass.
 
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Wraith

Royal Smart Person
Jan 13, 2013
1,599
4,747
113
DFW, TX
That video made my head hurt, that's the hardest way to clean and engine and do NOT use a "metal" brush on your aluminum. That is JUST slightly ahead of the "detail" you would do for a car lot lizard.
 
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