Older engines

[Tassadar]

Since we are on this whole engine detailing kick right now, I must ask this.

Many of you have detailed (or possibly own) older cars. These older cars very rarely have nice plastic parts to cover up anything. They just have the engine itself.

What do you use to make these look good. I mean sure, I can degrease them and brush the areas that need brushing, but what do you use to give them that nice extra "POP"?

[NozeBleedSpeed]

Originally posted by Tassadar
what do you use to give them that nice extra "POP"?

MONEY!!! :D Lots of it.....and a CNC machine....

[Tassadar]

Yeah I wish :p

So really, what can be used to do this? Or is it even possible.

[NozeBleedSpeed]

Magazines,catalogs,web sites,etc. sell billet and polished parts for most motors and engine bays.Especially if you have something that is very popular like an old Mustang.Pulling parts and smoothing them by sandblasting and hand sanding,then painting or powdercoating.
Find forums with guys that share your type vehicle(belive me,thyre out there) and see what tricks theyre using.Many enthusiast go into business making and selling parts for specific cars.Trust me on that one...I know personally. ;)

[Tassadar]

Well I own a 1990 Mustang, and I know ALL about the Billet parts that are available for it. I mjust trying not to spend the money on it.

[NozeBleedSpeed]

Then the cheapest way would probably be to pull parts and smooth and paint them.Your paint code and an airbrush can do wonders.

[Tassadar]

How do you smooth them? I can pull parts but this car is a daily driver, so it has to be up and going the very next morning. Plus im a student, so not a lot of free time.

I dont have any air tools or a sand blaster.

[Beemerboy]

Tass

Its hard to get the older engines to look like the new ones. I did a 76 MB 450SL. All I could do is clean well and leave it at that. I worked on the hood, sides and the painted parts the most. Outside that for the metal parts there is not much beisde replacement with after market stuff with a huge $$$$ tag to it.

Make it clean and leave it at that

[Tassadar]

Thats what I figured.

Is there any specific product that seems to react the best to these older engines? I know degreaser wise, Simple Green does well, but how about dressing.

[Beemerboy]

I`d bet that any decent water based dressing will do but? I use B&B from Poorboys and it works well. Once the engine gets hot its got. Again TASS its living with an older engine which clean for those years is a cool thing, most are grease balls:D