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09-14-2003, 05:41 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM,
Posts: 41
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Not Ranked
Cleaning the engine bay secrets!
What secrets do you all have for keeping your engine bays and the engine so clean? What cleaner do you use? Do you use a high pressure washer? What components do you seal against the water to be sure you don't ruin anything? Can you ruin anything with a really aggressive wash?
Thanks!
J
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09-14-2003, 06:47 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dacula, (Atlanta),
GA
Cobra Make, Engine: Unique 427 SC, Southern Automotive 427W Stroker
Posts: 1,649
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Not Ranked
John, I've been wondering that myself. I have historically done a bad job of keeping my engine clean. Now that half of the surface of my new engine will be polished, I will really need to get this sorted out.
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After a good hard ride.....oil pressure is over 50, temp is below 190, she idles and no new dents. LIFE IS GOOD!
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09-14-2003, 08:42 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Athens,
GA
Cobra Make, Engine: FFR DeLuxe
Posts: 21
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Not Ranked
A show car friend of mine let me in on a secret once when I asked about his beautiful engine compartment. He said he hoses the motor down with about half a can of WD-40 after he cleans it off. After the ehaust smokes a bit after firing, you are left with a shiny motor...I tried it and it works great.
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09-15-2003, 05:57 AM
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Member of the north
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Join Date: May 2003
Cobra Make, Engine: A Cobra
Posts: 11,207
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Not Ranked
The WD of WD40 stands for "Water Displacement" It leaves a small film of oil over the engine. If you drive it more than you clean it, dust will cling to the engine like a magnet. Wipe down the engien with a rag after putting the WD40 on really helps.
Engine brite is okay.
You still need to wipe the engine down.
Just my $0.02
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I'm a writer, feed the artist and buy a book.
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09-15-2003, 08:41 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: so cal,
Cal
Cobra Make, Engine: I used to fix them for a living
Posts: 2,563
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Not Ranked
simple green, and lots of rags and patience.
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In a fit of 16 year old genius, I looked down through the carb while cranking it to see if fuel was flowing, and it was. Flowing straight up in a vapor cloud, around my head, on fire.
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09-15-2003, 08:49 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Leesburg,,
VA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA Cobra #273, 427 S/O, ERA GT-40 #2057, Excalibur Cobra.
Posts: 1,011
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Not Ranked
HI, GUYS - - -
I HAVE NO IDEA. I'M JUST CHECKING IN SO I CAN FOLLOW THIS THREAD.
Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,
BLACKJACK
__________________
It's impossible to make anything FOOLPROOF - - Because FOOLS are so ingenious.
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09-15-2003, 09:04 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Atlanta,
GA
Cobra Make, Engine: CAV GT40 with 331 KC
Posts: 2,187
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Not Ranked
I try to never let my engine get to the point were it needs serious cleaning - as I am usually doing something in there anyway, if I see some dirt I clean it up with a rag.
WD40 does work well -
Be careful of using Simple Green undiluted...it will cause polished aluminum to dull out. You can spray it on undiluted but just make sure it doesn't sit there for very long at all before yopu rinse with water....
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09-15-2003, 09:09 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Augusta, GA,
Posts: 253
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Not Ranked
What about the old engine cleaner foaming stuff in a can? Is it ok to use?
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09-15-2003, 09:17 AM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Fresno,
CA
Cobra Make, Engine: KMP 184/482ci Shelby
Posts: 14,445
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Not Ranked
Yup...be damn careful with Simple Green. Also...I would suggest Lemon Pledge instead of ArmorAll or similiar products for dressing up hoses and plastic. Doesn't attract as much dust and leaves a nice smell. Pine Fresh scent is also nice. 
I start off with normal car cleaning soap first...and wrap the MSD!
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Jamo
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09-15-2003, 09:18 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM,
Posts: 41
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wrapping the MSD...the distributor cap?
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09-15-2003, 09:25 AM
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: Fresno,
CA
Cobra Make, Engine: KMP 184/482ci Shelby
Posts: 14,445
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Not Ranked
Yup...I should've made that clear. Most know about wrapping old style caps and some think they can forget about modern electronics. If the box is in the engine compartment, I'd wrape that too. Watch high pressure streams when you're around these parts. I wrap the carb as well as the electronics (if you can call Lucas crap that) on the firewall.
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Jamo
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09-15-2003, 09:33 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM,
Posts: 41
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Not Ranked
Fortunately the box isnt in the engine bay which proved very lucky one day when I was in Santa Fe and a thunderstorm came up rather suddenly. I was soaked, but the electronics weren't!
Do you also have any idea where to get the fan shrouds that surround your normal 16 inch puller fans on the fan side of the radiator to improve airflow?
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09-15-2003, 09:51 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Broken Arrow. OK ( South Tulsa), USA,
OK
Cobra Make, Engine: 66 COBRA FE 427 /4SP. (HCS Coupe w/ 408 Stroker and TKO 600 -sold)
Posts: 5,595
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Not Ranked
I couldn't find one that would fit right so I made my own from .032 aluminium.
Clois
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Sunshine, Asphalt and no stop signs...Perfect
"Let's roll"
"Be part of Something Good
......Leave Something Good Behind!"
from CD "Long Road Out of Eden"
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09-15-2003, 09:58 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM,
Posts: 41
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Not Ranked
Clois
WOuld you be willing to share the design elements of yours with me? Obviously ours will be different but questions like how to attach it to the radiator/fan, how to make sure it doesnt rattle, how to make sure the end product looks professional given the fact I have never done anything like this!
J
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09-15-2003, 11:19 AM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Albuquerque, NM,
Posts: 41
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Not Ranked
Thanks for all your help everyone, that is just what I needed. now I just have to get the beast back from the shop and get it cleaned up!
J
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09-15-2003, 01:24 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Abe Lincolns Birthplace,
Ky
Cobra Make, Engine: CSX4761, KCR Shelby Alloy 496,760hp
Posts: 867
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Not Ranked
Hi Guys,,
You cant beat the spray cans of gunk degreaser for real grime and grease,the simple grren {or like cleaners} will etch paint,alum,or glass if it is not mixed perfectly,and/or dries on.
I used to use armour all for protection but have found something far better ,I use it on harleys as well as car under hoods,,Tire foam,get the cheap 3.00 stuff at auto zone or advance,you can spray it on anything ,it wipes off the chrome easily with no grease after it evaporates ,and looks great on anything black or plastic,,keeps things clean too,,try it..
Tk
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Tk
"this whole Adult thing just isnt working for me "
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09-15-2003, 01:40 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: so cal,
Cal
Cobra Make, Engine: I used to fix them for a living
Posts: 2,563
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Not Ranked
I should have been more specific. On polished metal such as a shiny intake, wipe clean with a degreaser than polish with a metal polish such as mother's mag wheel polish. For painted surfaces, wipe off oil with DILUTED simple green, than use a quick detailer spray. Fot those gas stains on a natural aluminum intake, carb cleaner will dissolve the gunk, then soak it up with rags. There really is no quick way of getting an engine bay sparkling clean, without elbow gease.
__________________
In a fit of 16 year old genius, I looked down through the carb while cranking it to see if fuel was flowing, and it was. Flowing straight up in a vapor cloud, around my head, on fire.
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09-15-2003, 02:50 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Broken Arrow. OK ( South Tulsa), USA,
OK
Cobra Make, Engine: 66 COBRA FE 427 /4SP. (HCS Coupe w/ 408 Stroker and TKO 600 -sold)
Posts: 5,595
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Not Ranked
John I will try and get a picture and post it tomorrow. Very simple and for all I know it may be ineffective but I don't have any over heating problems.
Clois
__________________
Sunshine, Asphalt and no stop signs...Perfect
"Let's roll"
"Be part of Something Good
......Leave Something Good Behind!"
from CD "Long Road Out of Eden"
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09-15-2003, 05:23 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Leamington,
Ont
Cobra Make, Engine: Classic Roadster with 427 center oiler
Posts: 443
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Not Ranked
Here is a trick that I use. After rinsing the engine cleaners off with clean water, I use a wet dry shop vac to suck up little puddles of water in areas like the manifold. I duct tape a small diameter (1/4") plastic tube (about 12" long) over the end of the vacuum. This gives me a "mini vac" to get into the small crevices and hard to reach areas around the distributor etc. Works great for me !!
Paul 
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life is short: eat dessert first !
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09-15-2003, 05:44 PM
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CC Member
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Hickory,
NC
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA 427SC w/427so, ERA GT #2002
Posts: 1,106
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Not Ranked
I always learn a little more every time I read a string regardless of what I already know. I agree about Simple Green, but as cautioned, be careful on aluminum.
One cleaner I haven't heard mentioned that's about the best stuff I've ever used is Mirachem Cleaner/Degreaser. It removes tought stuff such as fuel stains and exhaust deposits. The good thing is it's not corrosive. If you want, use it for removing tar and cleaning tires and wheels. It doesn't damage paint. But the engine compartment is where it really does the job. Spray it on, let it foam up, then wipe it off. The stuff works!
Check out their web site: http://www.mirachem.com/500_Foaming.htm
__________________
Tom
"If you can make black marks on a straight from the time you turn out of a corner until the braking point of the next turn, then you have enough HORSEPOWER." Mark Donohue
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