cleaning up engine bay

[gula187]

My little brothers car has been sitting up a while and we're just about to start restoring it and te first thing we want to do is clean up the engine bay to make it look a lot cleaner...where should we start?

 

[Bar50]

It's all a matter of preference. I will say aluminum foil and saran wrap are great tools for masking stuff off to paint or touch up areas under the hood.

 

[85442/86buick]

straighten the air cleaner , and tighten up the gas line from the pump to carb ( lose that glass fuel filter ) bend up a metal feed line.

and that is a lot of red wire loom cover , but if your brother likes it.it's his car.

 

[565bbchevy]

I would get a 14" drop base air cleaner first, those foam filters are very restrictive and I think it would look cleaner without the red loom.

 

[ssn696]

Stop further dirt accumulation by replacing any leaking gaskets and seals (not just for looks). Clean and paint the valve covers. Flush the brake fluid (not just for looks). Remove the fender liners and fan shroud, give them a good scrub with detergent and a brush. Consider a different air cleaner. Replace the washer fluid and radiator overflow bottles with reproductions. Paint the radiator support and firewall. Echo the aluminum foil comment - it's great masking tool when you want to leave things in place.

 

[JAMCAR223]

I agree with the other guys... Round drop base air cleaner. This will cover the carb / choke. The less "exposed parts" makes for a cleaner look. Matching valve covers. There are a lot of choices these days for "center bolt" valve covers. The red wire loom has to go. This actually highlights all the wiring. Install new black loom. Jeg's sells a kit with all he sizes you need to do under the hood. When I clean up under the hood I put a pair of old socks on my hands, and start cleaning everything with a tooth brush and compressed air. I would remove items that are easy to unbolt ( hood latch, radiator cover plate, small brackets, etc. ) You will need Scothbrite pads ( red ), masking tape ( blue ), and engine enamel ( high heat ). Spark plug wires clean up nicely with WD-40 ( but don't get it on anything you want to paint - remove them 1 at a time clean it, and reinstall ). New fuel line, and aluminum filter ( anything but that dingy plastic filter will look better ).This should give you a good start, and render nice results, on the cheap. Be sure to take " after " pics!!

 

[-83MONTESS-]

Get rid of that fireball waiting to happen of an air filter first.