First of all i hope i am putting this in the right forum.. since i bought my car (95 z28) it has about 112k on it and the engine bay is just filthy. i dont know too much about the car yet i am still learning alot about the LT1. i really want to clean everything out so it looks halfway decent. i heard the optispark is a big issue and if i get that wet im screwed..but i dont really have time to pull the whole thing out and wipe it all down...any suggestions on a good way to clean everything out?

 

welcome to the forums, this is actually in the wrong section tho. it would be better suited for the Show & Shine / Paint & Body Care.

yes the opti DOES NOT LIKE WATER so make sure you don't spray it directly. its located under the rubber intake elbow and behind the water pump. the best way to clean engines that i have seen is to get westly's bleach white (walmart) mix it 50/50 with water spray the engine and let it sit for 45 seconds and spray with a pressure washer. repeat a couple of times if its horribly dirty. and like i said stay off the opti.

Side note don't start hoseing down the engine if it has been running, hot metal and cold water = crack.

 

You guys that spray your engines at all are really brave..
When I had my f-bodies, I used to use a rag and a bucket of water with a bit of dish soap. The tiny nooks and crannies I would use an old toothbrush. Once you get it cleaned the 1st time it is easy to keep up with it.
Brandon

 

yeah i wasnt really planning on spraying anything in there...probly end up doing the rag and soapy water idea...may take a little longer but it sounds like the safest way

 

well i was the detail guy for a car lot for a long time and as long as i didn't hit any ignition parts with the water i was always fine. i'm too lazy to do it your way!

i'm sure i've done it over 250 times and have had maybe a couple not start because i hit the distributer. these were not all camaro's tho. i've done it to my car 3 or times with no problems.

 

ya I am too lazy these days too. Those were the single days Now I don't get time to do that stuff!!
later
Brandon

 

In my opinion people make the opti out to be much worse than it really is. I just recently did a cam install and had an oil leak on the front of the motor. The whole front of my motor, k-member, oil pan, and tranny were covered in oil and crud. I just took it to the car wash today and left the car running. I power washed the whole under side of the car and really focused on the front of the motor and the car never stumbled once. I've washed my motor many other times too. I try not to spray the opti directly but it'll take some abuse if it needs too.

 

vented are a lot more forgiving from what i have read.

 

I've seen an opti survive 3ft of standing water.

 

Original Opti on my Camaro (AFAIK) and still kicking

 

I've pressure washed many engines in the last 25 years and never had a problem. On any car you cover the distributor and the alternator beforehand.

On the LT1 since you can't easily cover the distributor just don't spray the front of the engine. Unless you have a Dynaspark in which case spray away.

My own cars get a quick engine rinse with the pressure washer on a low setting about once a month. Old cars I've owned or worked on that were greasy and nasty got liberal application of degreaser plus the pressure washer set on "kill."

 

ok well maybe i will consider spraying it out..should i add a little bit of soap into the system or just use fresh water?

 

I use a sodium hydroxide...and hot water........that will make it alot easier and you will ne less to rinse