Winter off season project engine compartment “clean up” and engine repaint.

[Plyrr471]

Thank you T2R9, kind of you to say.

 

[Don Frelier]

I would suggest pulling the engine your not far from it.

 

[Plyrr471]

The though had occurred to me Don, as I’ve done it before, but I’d have to secure a stand and hoist, plus I’d be afraid of beating up my paint. I just finished removing all I’m going to remove, got starter, headers, and water pump and housing out. I may pull the distributer as well.
Quick question for the group, replace the water pump, or not? No weep hold but you can see traces of a minor leak. Bearings feel firm. Maybe weak gasket or bolt backed off a bit? Should I Permatex the next gasket?

 

[Don Frelier]

If you pull the distributor be sure to take a picture of the rotor position first.
I take a utility blade or something sharp and carve a line on both the distributor and the block.
If you do both it will be timed exactly as is today.

If you pull it you can simply block off the carb opening, tape off the ports and powerwash the thing.
It's a good start to prepping for cleaning.

 

[Plyrr471]

10-4 on all of that Don. Thank you. I thing I may drop it off the lift and push the car out a few feet out onto the driveway, and degrease and power wash right there. Weather permitting. I’ll keep my progress updated here. Thanks.
Btw, replace the water pump, or just the gasket?

 

[RRGTX]

Very Nice car! Good luck with your project. I am doing the same project with my 71 Charger this winter. I have one flex plate bolt not breaking loose. Should have the motor out and on the stand tomorrow.

 

[Plyrr471]

Nice, keep us informed on your progress.

 

[Schultz64]

Personally I would replace the water pump now when everything is apart. Not terribly expensive and it sure beats having to go back after everything is cleaned up to do it again. Keep the update pics coming. Looks excellent!

 

[DaveyG]

What do you recommend for cleaning solutions and methods? I'd like to clean up my engine compartment without having to buy a steam cleaner.

 

[ckessel]

Citrus oil based degreasers work well on crud and will not harm paint. Same with regular Gunk EB1 or equivalent. They both penetrate the junk well. Foamy Gunk, or equivalent, and Purple cleaners are caustic. Will kill the paint. I have a container of the ZEP citrus cleaner. Put some in my little garden sprayer and can get the wand in any position. If the crud is really heavy, the EB1 is my go to for the first round, then transition to the citrus.

 

[mpgmike]

With the sub-quality parts being sourced from China these days, your 25 year old pump may still outlast a brand new one. More and more I'm hesitant to replace parts "just 'cause I got it apart". At our shop, it seems we can't get the right parts first time -- like ever! We also find ourselves replacing stuff under warranty a lot.

 

[Black_Sheep]

Nothing stays new looking forever.

Not when you drive them…

@Plyrr471

I did an engine compartment rehab on the GTX a couple years ago, it spiraled out of control pretty quickly but the final result was extremely satisfying. Good luck with your project.

 

[Plyrr471]

Thanks @Black_Sheep , nice extensive job done there! I pulled the entire car apart over the course 10 or so yrs. Finished it around 2001 or so. A freshening is over due, plus I’ve got a few leaks to button up, including a bad tranny leak from the gear shift input, or so it seems, would you agree?

 

[R413]

Yes looks like the seal for the linkage. Only other place is the band adjust bolt and it looks dry in photo.

Best plug for the distributor hole is a distributor. The pressure washer won't blow it off.

Great looking car and colors! Congrats on 40+ years of ownership.

 

[nitro_rat]

Diesel or Kerosene is hard to beat for baked on caked on grease and grime. Work it in with a brush as necessary, SS, brass, or nylon bristles according to the surface. I wouldn't just hose it on everywhere, just spot treat the bad areas. A follow up with a good degreaser like Purple Power or Simple Green and a pressure washer usually does it for me. There's another one called "Formula 88" that I like a lot too. It won't dissolve any carburetor parts unlike Simple Green and most other cleaners that eventually can harm some metals.

 

[Plyrr471]

Thank you both for the advice. The old girl is due a bit of tlc, and since I’m recently retired, the time has come. I can’t wait to get the tranny buttoned up, it leaks substantially, as you can see. At least it’s always got new fluid. @R413 , thanks for the kind words, too bad it’s not a 4spd. 440-6 or Hemi car, but it still gets looks, and it is all matching #’s.

 

[donmodro]

With the sub-quality parts being sourced from China these days, your 25 year old pump may still outlast a brand new one. More and more I'm hesitant to replace parts "just 'cause I got it apart". At our shop, it seems we can't get the right parts first time -- like ever! We also find ourselves replacing stuff under warranty a lot.

I've been taking a similar approach to preventative maintenance as well lately. Quality seems to have really dropped off on replacement parts.

 

[Plyrr471]

Agreed, I’m going with new gaskets, that’s it, I’m on the fence about the thermostat though, I may just replace it.

 

[donmodro]

Agreed, I’m going with new gaskets, that’s it, I’m on the fence about the thermostat though, I may just replace it.

I just tossed a thermostat in mine too, the car sat for a while so it was not looking fantastic. Really loving this project!