Under the Hood - Engine "Clean Up" Options

[cobra de capell]

I purchased an ERA built in the 80's and I'm now going to start on cleaning up the engine area. At this point, there is nothing fancy in the engine compartment and the area is looking like its not been touched since the 80's, although the car has only 11K miles on it.

What "extras" should I consider as I begin this task? It's a driver, but I would like for the engine area to look pretty good, but not excellent as I've seen in the gallery. Are there components that really should be considered?

The engine is a 428 FE Police Interceptor. It has a medium rise manifold with Holley 800 double pumper.

[REDSC400]

Hi:
Congrats on your new (to you) ERA. Nice choice. Mine is 11+ years young. I would clean up the engine with a mixture of Simple Green auto cleaner and water (70-30 mix of green to water) in a spray bottle. Put her up on jackstands and start with the bottom and then the top and then finish again with the bottom. I went over the entire chassis that way fore to aft.

Also while you are doing that, check all bolts and fittings and hoses, etc. You want to make sure all is in good order and fit for speed. While you are doing this, it is a good time to change all fluids in the car. Brake, trannie, differential, grease fittings, engine oil and radiator.

As for extras in the engine compartment, that is up to you. What were you thinking about?

What ERA # do you have?

[acaskie]

I would recommend some billet wire looms to reroute the plug wires. I don't know if there's room with an FE, but it sure does the trick with a 351W. Also, if you can use the plastic sleeves to consolidate and cover the rest of your wiring, it really cleans up the engine bay.

You can't see too much of it in my gallery pic, but it gives you the idea.

[427Aggie]

Welcome to the ERA club....cleaning up the engine compartment can go as far as you want...when I got #122 I pulled the engine and put the aluminum panels in...re sprayed the footboxes (thats just wimbilton white fiberglass gelcoat) and even put in a new wiring harness....you can see some of the pictures in my gallery..

Everything ERA makes will fit into the older models..and mine is going on 18 years now.

Matt

[trularin]

WD40
Cleans and protects.

Not a sub, just add it on to the things to use when detailing.

Just my $0.02