cleaning small bits and pieces?

[1990LTD]

I'm wondering about cleaning small bits and pieces under the hood - I used some engine brite and some elbow grease but there are lots of small parts, hoses, etc that are impossible to clean and impossible to clean around/under unless removed and done carefully/by hand - How should I go about this? I don't want to tear things apart and fuck things up so I'm basically wondering what dangers there are in doing this? Assuming the engine is cold, fwiw

[murphmobile2]

There is no danger as long as you take parts off one at a time, and put them back where they're supposed to go.

It's next to impossible to blow up a 302, so you should be good lol.

You can also pick up a little detail brush at your local parts store or hardware store, they work awesome in the little nooks and crannies.

[Forcus]

If it's a heavily greased over, never detailed engine bay I use straight simple green and let it soak. Then use brushes (wide and skinny) and go over everything real well. Then spray it down with a power washer. Do this a few times and you might get most or all of it off. Sometimes though parts just have to come apart to clean em. Take pics, or tag things..

[visionmercury]

soaking then power washing will get alot of the grim off , then small brushs work great for all the little spots

[1990LTD]

Destroyed the torx head on a screwdriver trying to get the upper intake cover off

[Forcus]

Destroyed the torx head on a screwdriver trying to get the upper intake cover off

I have a half dozen twisted torx head bits. I think the problem is the parts store ones are just poor quality. I usually end up using a hex head bit to remove a damaged torx bolt.

[1990LTD]

I have a half dozen twisted torx head bits. I think the problem is the parts store ones are just poor quality. I usually end up using a hex head bit to remove a damaged torx bolt.

as in an allen key? Didn't know you could do that...I have a fuckton of them around from working on basses and guitars.

[Brandon]

I had just used Purper Power. Spray the motor down and if you have a pressure washer use that. That worked well for me

[Nathan in MI]

Destroyed the torx head on a screwdriver trying to get the upper intake cover off

Just a tip - when trying to remove stuck hardware like that, it's best to strike it once or twice with a hammer and punch before trying to move it. You'll be amazed what a difference it can make.

If that doesn't work, you can use a hammer and a chisel to make a notch in the side of the bolt head, and then strike the notch tangentially to break it loose. It destroys the bolt, of course, but those are easy enough to replace.

[1990LTD]

I actually did tap it with a hammer when last I tried Friggin' thing.

[Nathan in MI]

You gotta hit it like you mean it.

[1990LTD]

Tap probably wasn't the best choice of words.