How to clean an engine? | FerrariChat

How to clean an engine?

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by pks41805, Apr 9, 2009.

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  1. pks41805

    pks41805 Formula 3

    Aug 4, 2007
    1,152
    Colorado Springs, Co
    Full Name:
    Paul Sloan
    What is the best/safest way to clean my engine bay( 400ia )?
     
  2. Neonzapper

    Neonzapper F1 Rookie

    Oct 19, 2008
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    Mykol
    #2 Neonzapper, Apr 21, 2009
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2009
    I have clicked on this thread many times waiting for someone's response.
     
  3. blkprlz

    blkprlz Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2007
    2,169
    Tampa bay
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    Bruce
    #3 blkprlz, Apr 22, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/sho...spirits&page=3

    A couple of notes I'd like to add:
    1.) If the yellow cadmium coating on the metal parts is in fair condition, it can be brightened with....believe it or not....Mother's 'Back to Black'.
    2.) I used a regular metal polish (Mothers/3M/etc.) to remove corrosion/tarnish & to begin brightening the parts, then I used Simichrome (from Germany) to bring full luster & has protective coating to retard dulling. Once brought to the level shown below, 1 wkend./yr. is all that is required to breakdown the top of the engine/repolish/re-assy. to maintain brillance.
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  4. Big N

    Big N Karting

    Jul 30, 2008
    58
    Dublin, Ireland
    Full Name:
    Niall
    Once again Bruce you really show how to do it properly.
    Very impressive, won many trophies?
     
  5. koisokok

    koisokok F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 8, 2006
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    nine 0 two one 0
    she looks great bruce!!!
     
  6. MoeMistry

    MoeMistry Rookie

    Sep 9, 2006
    40
    Orange County, CA
    That engine looks really good. Great job.
     
  7. Fritz Ficke

    Fritz Ficke Formula 3
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  8. MoeMistry

    MoeMistry Rookie

    Sep 9, 2006
    40
    Orange County, CA
    Glad you found it useful. I'll have a recent 360 Modena engine up soon so you Ferrari guys could relate ;) I figured the Maserati is still in the family.
     
  9. MBFerrari

    MBFerrari F1 Veteran

    Jul 2, 2008
    6,057
    NoVA
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    Matt B
    Nice work! Looks fantastic. I still even after seeing this cringe when I think about dumping water into the engine bay of my 348SS. Is there any other way to do this without watering down the entire engine bay?

    MB
     
  10. Stefano1

    Stefano1 Karting

    Dec 28, 2008
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    San Francisco
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    Stefano Bini
  11. MoeMistry

    MoeMistry Rookie

    Sep 9, 2006
    40
    Orange County, CA
    On a 400, I'd be very careful. Cover any exposed electrical with aluminum foil. You can get one of those pump containers used by gardeners and use that as your water source. But you should be OK if you follow the steps I have outlines and use the pump sprayer.

    If you do decide to do it, make sure to post before/after pics :)
     
  12. blkprlz

    blkprlz Formula 3

    Mar 24, 2007
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    Bruce
    Good caution check. With regards to the spark plug wells, they are deep, can hold a lot of water, & will require compressed air to force the water out (which will get dirt all over that clean engine) or wet-vac it out w/tiny orifice.

    The garden pump sprayer (insecticide/herbicide type) route is a very good idea if you decide to go the H2O route. It's fast, it's easy, & no fuss. The problem with a garden hose or power washer however is that water will get pushed into places you don't want it to. Regardless of any of the 3 aforementioned processes you use, there are frame cavities below the battery tray & brake booster that will hold H2O (behind the front wheel wells). If the car has ever been exposed to snowy conditions, you can bet that cinders/salt residue camps out here (& that stuff should be attended to anyway!). And getting water out of these cavities can be pretty tricky, especially the brake booster side.
     
  13. Fritz Ficke

    Fritz Ficke Formula 3
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    Fritz Ficke
    The only issue that the 365/400/400I is that the spark plugs are at the bottom of a funnel and the water that ends up there will need to be blown out.
     
  14. Fritz Ficke

    Fritz Ficke Formula 3
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    "Day late and a dollar short"
     

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