Suggestions for cleaning up the engine?

[dave73chally]

I've gotten the 318 running strong now I'm starting to tackle cleaning it up. Pictures below are what I'm starting with. Should I start removing rusted components and taking a wire brush to them? Can I wire brush any these components while on the car? Not opposed to masking parts off and painting while in the engine bay where possible. Any suggestions of methods and products to aid in the cleanup process is much appreciated.

Already have a new air cleaner assembly, valve covers and rebuilt carburetor so these aren't an issue. Trying to keep the car driveable until winter hits, the birds nest of wiring will be overhauled at this time.

[dutch]

pull it .  It`s not that much work   

[cudabob496]

how do you eat an elephant? one bite at a time.
pick a component, focus on that one, then pick another.
Over time, will start looking great!

[jimynick]

Depends what you're looking for in the "clean up". There's usually 2 schools of thought, 1- do as Bart suggested and pull it and do it right or 2- ask the local, big, used car dealer who he uses for underhood cleanups. The underhood clnup guys vary in skill, but some of them can get the engine looking pretty good without pulling it. This job usually runs around $100 here in the frozen north. Good luck 

[74 challenge]

I painted my engine last spring keeping it in the car. It looks awesome but having done that I am 100% for pulling the engine. I am currently doing the one peice at a time approach and it's slowly starting to turn around. I'd post pictures but I am on my work computer. 

I have however seen some pretty decent engine bay paint jobs done with the engine in the car.

[cudabob496]

I painted my engine last spring keeping it in the car. It looks awesome but having done that I am 100% for pulling the engine. I am currently doing the one peice at a time approach and it's slowly starting to turn around. I'd post pictures but I am on my work computer. 

I have however seen some pretty decent engine bay paint jobs done with the engine in the car.

Ya, you can have paint places make you a pint or quart of latex enamel, to the exact color you want, then brush it
on areas like the firewall. Unless you are entering some perfectionist type car show, the engine bay can look great when
you open the hood.  You can also remove just certain engine components, then mask off others with masking tape and newspaper,
then spray away with spray paint that paint stores will also mix for you.  And, there are already popular Mopar colors like hemi orange
in a spray can. Surface prep is a key to it lasting a long time.

[HP_Cuda]

Fairly simple process really:

1) Spray engine bay liberally with a de-greaser (warm motor up first, spray, soak, then spray off) car washes are smart to this and usually ban this but ymmv
2) Pull valve covers, intake, carb, air cleaner (sand areas which need them, spray with a good coat of paint twice, put back on)
3) Replace cap, rotor, wires, air filter, etc
4) Enjoy new look and then wish you painted the engine compartment - drink beer and say you'll do it next time.

See? Pretty dang easy!

B

[cudabob496]

A spray bottle of diluted Simple Green can work wonders.  Walmart has big bottles
of Simple Green pretty cheap.

[74 challenge]

Definatelly not hard....

but it takes a huge amount of time.

I made sure to re assemble all the parts and then painted them so the bolts look good too. I of course forgot pictures again 

I however didn't need to paint the firewall/ inner fenders or rad support.