Cleaning/tarting up engine/gearbox

[glenn]

OK, I've never actually done this before so I'd like some advice from peeps that have done it.

The engine, gearbox is sitting in my garage, but naturally it's covered in cak and I want to make it nicer before it goes in the Astra. I'm not wanting to go too far... can't really be bother to paint it.

So what's the best stuff? Best technique etc??

Cheers

[davestar7]

Tooth brush!

[Suicide]

Tootbrush (for them tight spaces) washing up brush for everywhere else, Gunk, and a hosepipe to wash the stuff off (pressure washer would be good)

Just be sure there's no open holes (especially not into the engine) and away you go. If you want a polished look then plenty of cloths with either autosol or Autoglym metal polish (shockingly good stuff but expensive)

[Jason]

I am taking off the starter and the turbo so I can get to the block.

I am using Gunk and a pressure washer, but like Ste says, make sure there are no open holes for the water to get in!!

I am only going so far because I am going to paint the block and really shine up the head. Have you thought about using some nice hoses now it's out of the car Glenn? Even if you replace with standard new hoses, it makes a world of difference. I certainly don't intend on shelling out £200+ on blue or red ones, if they were more like £50 then I'd consider it.

[glenn]

I've got nice red hoses already... I really can't be arsed to make a really clean engine... coz it'll only get dirty once in and then stay like it knowing me!

I want this car to go fecking fast, it's not gonna be any supermodel when it comes to looks... rough n ready

[G1C]

For cleaning your gearbox, head and cam carrier use some stuff called alloy bright or alli bright, it's an acid you put on and leave around 5-10mins then pressure wash off and it comes out like new, then to keep that look laqcure it when dry.

[justEdnow]

know a guy who used hot water, parrafin in a ressure washer that worked a treat.....

[opel_kadett_5_door_gte]

[exuptoy]

If your going to the trouble to polish the alloy, it wouldn't take as long to pressure wash the block with some parafin in the aditive bottle then smootherite (hammerite smooth) the block in a nice colour, (black is clean and subtle) this job in total would only take a few hours even allowing the block to dry also made much easier if the engine is on the floor and would deffinately lift the bay.
My block is now painted black and all the added bits like dipstick tube are silver with new rings, shells, mains, oil and water pumps ready to refit the sump and swap the lumps over then refit the head.
All thats left now is to strip the box and replace the 2 bearings then refit it all. I will include pics when I take some more.

[justEdnow]

Dude, u not finished yet.......lol....good work