Detailing Engine compartment - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

cvette98pacecar · 07-19-2011

Okay guys who has the best tool to get into all the crevices of an LT5 engine. Has anyone tried a steam cleaner and boxes of q-tips.

Kevin · 07-19-2011

your hand and a rag. anything else and you're going to be replacing the starter

cvette98pacecar · 07-19-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

your hand and a rag. anything else and you're going to be replacing the starter

That will take care of everything where I can get my hands. I need to get into all of the crevice's.

Kevin · 07-19-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvette98pacecar

That will take care of everything where I can get my hands. I need to get into all of the crevice's.

i guess you could pull everything apart and pressure wash or steam it but that's just a guess

cvette98pacecar · 07-21-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

i guess you could pull everything apart and pressure wash or steam it but that's just a guess

I have a commercial hand steamer that I have used for years, Just not on an LT-5 engine. I guess if it burns the finish that will give me a reason to have the Siamese intake done.

scottfab · 07-21-2011

I use a pressure washer. If you stuff wads of plastic bags at the top
of the plenum to diver excess water you'll be fine. Small amounts of
water in the V aren't a problem. It's only when you exceed the rate at
which the drain hole can handle that you get in trouble.

AND of course you need to "blow dry" the compartment out when you're
done. I only know of one way to do that

PS take the plastic bags out before taking it out for the blow dry run.

QB93Z · 07-21-2011

My wife saw me struggling to get in the crevices and tight areas of the engine and bought me a package of wooden shish-ka-bob skewers. They are about a foot long, pointed at one end and blunt at the other. They are fairly soft wood so if you are careful you can clean crevices without damaging anything. You can also wrap a cloth around the skewer and get into medium crevices.

Jim

Jagdpanzer · 07-21-2011

When I first got my Z I commandeered the wife's clothes steamer to spif up the engine compartment. It worked great for this purpose using distilled water together with windex spay on the extra grimey areas.

RICKYRJ1 · 07-22-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvette98pacecar

Okay guys who has the best tool to get into all the crevices of an LT5 engine. Has anyone tried a steam cleaner and boxes of q-tips.

a steamer wil work fine to help loosen the grime up but be ready to wipe it clean & dry. What finish is on the engine? paint? powder coat?

cvette98pacecar · 07-23-2011

[QUOTE=RICKYRJ1;119435]a steamer wil work fine to help loosen the grime up but be ready to wipe it clean & dry. What finish is on the engine? paint? powder coat?[/QUOTe

powder coated. I am going to try the steam. If it damages the finish it really doesn't matter as I am going to send the cam covers and intake to DRM for Black powder coating. All of the original engine work was done by DRM it has the same specification and was built the same time all of the Black Widow engines were built. I wonder why the original owner did not get the engine powder coated black at that time.

07-19-2011	#1
cvette98pacecar Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,479	Detailing Engine compartment Okay guys who has the best tool to get into all the crevices of an LT5 engine. Has anyone tried a steam cleaner and boxes of q-tips.

07-19-2011	#2
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,632	Re: Detailing Engine compartment your hand and a rag. anything else and you're going to be replacing the starter __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"

07-21-2011	#6
scottfab Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland Oregon metro area (Washington side) Posts: 3,207	Re: Detailing Engine compartment I use a pressure washer. If you stuff wads of plastic bags at the top of the plenum to diver excess water you'll be fine. Small amounts of water in the V aren't a problem. It's only when you exceed the rate at which the drain hole can handle that you get in trouble. AND of course you need to "blow dry" the compartment out when you're done. I only know of one way to do that PS take the plastic bags out before taking it out for the blow dry run. __________________ Scott Vett owner since 1979._It's about the car and the people

07-21-2011	#7
QB93Z Join Date: May 2007 Location: Westminster, Maryland Posts: 3,689	Re: Detailing Engine compartment My wife saw me struggling to get in the crevices and tight areas of the engine and bought me a package of wooden shish-ka-bob skewers. They are about a foot long, pointed at one end and blunt at the other. They are fairly soft wood so if you are careful you can clean crevices without damaging anything. You can also wrap a cloth around the skewer and get into medium crevices. Jim __________________ If it isn't fun, you aren't doing it right! 1990 Black ZR-1 - sold 1993 Quasar Blue ZR-1 1994 Competition Yellow ZR-1 1995 Dark Purple ZR-1 Maryland State Coordinator WAZOO Member

07-21-2011	#8
Jagdpanzer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,658	Re: Detailing Engine compartment When I first got my Z I commandeered the wife's clothes steamer to spif up the engine compartment. It worked great for this purpose using distilled water together with windex spay on the extra grimey areas. __________________ Phil Wasinger 1994 Torch Red ZR-1 WAZOO Member George Braml Intake

07-23-2011	#10
cvette98pacecar Join Date: May 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,479	Re: Detailing Engine compartment [QUOTE=RICKYRJ1;119435]a steamer wil work fine to help loosen the grime up but be ready to wipe it clean & dry. What finish is on the engine? paint? powder coat?[/QUOTe powder coated. I am going to try the steam. If it damages the finish it really doesn't matter as I am going to send the cam covers and intake to DRM for Black powder coating. All of the original engine work was done by DRM it has the same specification and was built the same time all of the Black Widow engines were built. I wonder why the original owner did not get the engine powder coated black at that time.