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In a short while I'll have to take the car out of the old building that will be demolished in favour of building a new warehouse. Until now I had all the space in the world to put stuff there so somehow a spare engine found its way there. It is without cylinder heads so pistons exposed. It is a 1977 4.5L engine and dirty as hell. Now I have to find a new space for it and I think I can put it under my workbench at home. But before I do that it must be clean, or at least cleaner than it is now. How can I do that without water entering the engine? I can imagine taping off the top of the engine with duckt tape. But how to get this oily boat clean? Will simple green do the job? Hard to get here but there is one webshop that has this in one gallon cans. The other obvious engine cleaners are the regular solvent based degreasers. The picture doesn't do it justice. It has a couple of mm (1/16th inch??) of oily dirt allover. Any tips from more experienced people?

hwyengr

I've heard lots of scare stories about Simple Green and aluminum, but they say its safe "when used cautiously". I know it ruins anodized aluminum wheels, so I generally keep if off Al, personally.

davek9

As you stated it would be better if the heads were on for initial cleaning, but still doable.

Place the engine on a stand an turn it upside down, block off the oil cooler line fittings with rubber plugs.
Then buy a case of brake cleaner, place an engine stand drip pan under it and start spraying, follow up with brushes and rags.
Don't forget to wear glasses and have good ventilation.
You will get all / most of it off

Dave K

Mrmerlin

get some mineral spirits and put in a spray bottle,
and use gloves and a brush.
stand it on its flywheel side use wood blocks on the block,
final rinse off with brake cleaner spray cans,
work in a big pan if able to catch over spray

Ad0911

Thank you for this idea. This sounds like the best option for me, to let it stand on the flywheel side on blocks. I can use a "teiltje" to collect the liquids, This just might be the best way to store it too.

karl ruiter

I use a number of things, but have had good luck with household degreasing cleaners like 409 and Fantastic. And a brush.

Ad0911

Thanks Karl Ruiter (name sounds Dutch). Both of these are not under that name in the old world. But off course we have our own stuff like this.

karl ruiter

I'm sure there are similar products, since there is similar kitchen grease. Originally DeRuyter. And my middle name is Adreinzoon!

Mrmerlin

mineral spirits will need any water to remove nor will the brake cleaner.
thus the rings and other steel components will not have more chances to rust.
spray the whole thing down with WD 40 and then PB blaster,
cover with a plastic bag and put in desiccant

checkmate1996

might be better off making a coffee table!

Ad0911

Well, problem is gone. I sold it together with some other old stuff I picked up along the way for EUR 250 for all of it.