I don't have to hug trees to know this is a bad idea!

 

Simple Green and a pressure washer will clean any engine and engine compartment very well.

 

Since your rebuilding it to a stroker, I recommend taking it to a machine shop to get hot tanked and press in new camshaft bearings at the same time. Depending on what your doing to this motor, that should be all you need the machinist to do to it.

 

simple green FTW!

 

Here's the method I use, assuming you have it in the car:

Mask off anything that doesn't tolerate water well. I use Saran Wrap and rubber bands, and do the distributor, battery terminals, and fusebox at a minimum.

I do the next part with the engine running and warmed up. You're not going to hydrolock it; it's not as if you're spraying water into the intake. Just be gentle around the intake and you'll be fine. A warm engine, in my experience, seems to steam the grease off pretty well. Just avoid using super cold water.

Then, cover the engine in Simple Green. Agitate with a brush in areas where it's necessary. Let it steam a little, then rinse with a light mist from the hose.

If you like, follow up with a rubber dressing on plastic/rubber parts (but NOT belts!). I use something by Meguire's that leaves a nice matte finish, then rinse that off.

I don't have any pictures of my XJ's engine, but here's the engine of my daily driver after using this method:


Once it's reasonably clean, it should only take you about 20 minutes every few months to keep it that clean using my method.

 

grez off FTW, i've used both and this stuff seems to be tougher



http://www.spraynine.com/product_inf...9af674c89d4e69

 

Hmmm. Any idea what that would cost to hot tank it and install new cam bearings?