When To Detail Engine and compartment?

[bretamo]

I am writing for some feedback on when and how to best detail the engine compartment of my 92 GT.

Within the next month I plan to replace the stock heads and intake with GT-40 parts and install underdrive pulleys. In doing this, I see an opportunity to at least clean and/or paint component parts and brackets, update the hoses, and clean in some hard to reach places.

Has anyone been in this position and planned ahead on the detailing of your motor and compartment? What was your plan, how did you do it, and what are some do's and don'ts.

Thanks in advance for transferring your experience!

Bretamo
92 Stock GT

 

[04sleeper]

When I did mine I pulled everything off the fender wells and rear firewall and cleaned it with degreaser.
Then I ran most of the wires in the fender for a cleaner look.
Then I painted it.
Cleaned the hoses and wires up, painted the brackets, valve covers and such.
Bought some new wire loom from here and reloomed my wire harnesses. Re ran the front headlight harness in front of the core support so it wasn't squished between the radiator and the core support.
Oh, I also had my battery relocated to the trunk.
I think it came out looking pretty good. Nothing fancy, just clean.
Here are a few pictures of how it came out.

 

[txgunrunner]

sho is clean looking.

 

[DMAN302]

I find it's best to leave any true detailing work untill after the mechanical is done..the combination of coolant/oil/grease/dirt can completely destroy alot of effort made. After an intake swap two years ago the mess left my hard work of painting and cleaning unseen...she looked filthy and had to start all over again. Keep the bay clean and wait untill your done your swap...IMO.

 

[04sleeper]

I found it easier to do while tearing the engine down. It gets a lot of things out of the way so you have more room to work with.
View attachment 514660

 

[ALMOSTFINISHED]

89sleeper- what kind of paint did you use to do the engine bay? It looks great.

Nick

 

[BlackFox5.0]

I just used spray paint.

 

[ALMOST STOCK]

If you can remove the engine, clean and degrease the engine compartment, reroute the wires if you feel like it, and then paint.

 

[04sleeper]

89sleeper- what kind of paint did you use to do the engine bay? It looks great.

Nick

Thanks.

I actually used some cheap Walmart Brand gloss white paint for the bay. For the brackets and the valve covers I used Duplicolor metalic silver wheel paint with High Temp Engine clear.

 

[DMAN302]

Engine out allows a much better job..Though I would have loved the hidden wire route that Almost stock has mastered, I was not as comfortable with my abilities at that time. Having the engine out allows you to tackle some other issues that are a bit more difficult while in..like oil pan gaskets, pump replacement and others

 

[Dip In Traffic]

View attachment 514600

in the process of smoothing out my engine bay

View attachment 514602

 

[ALMOST STOCK]

Engine out allows a much better job..Though I would have loved the hidden wire route that Almost stock has mastered, I was not as comfortable with my abilities at that time. Having the engine out allows you to tackle some other issues that are a bit more difficult while in..like oil pan gaskets, pump replacement and others

Believe me if it were that difficult to do, I surly wouldn’t have done it.

All you really need to do is think about what you're doing before you do it to avoid any mistakes is what it all boils down to and nothing more.

And as far as your engine compartment goes, I'll always give you a

 

[DMAN302]

Coming from you Paul that is a compliment for sure.

 

[Ozz]

I planned mine out quite a bit. Pulled the engine, rebuilt, and welded up and painted the engine bay.

Here's some pics throughout the project:
http://www.soniccherry.com/enginebay.html

 

[stang22]

I removed every single piece I could from the front end when I welded mine up and hid the wires. Bumper, fenders and everything else. I didn't want to take any chances with my paint, but this was the easiest way for me. Not saying that is the right way, just best way for me Lots of work, but worth it in the end.

Tim

View attachment 514522
View attachment 514524

 

[bretamo]

Special thanks to everyone that responded. You all do beautiful work.

My challenge will to do my best without pulling the motor.

Thanks again!

Bretamo

 

[Ozz]

You can do very well w/o removing the engine. If you're going to weld things up then it will be tough to maneuver in there, but it's possible. Another member here did it that way last fall and it came out great.

He wasn't able to go to the extent that we did because his motor was in there, but for not pulling the motor it came out tremendous