How to clean your engine

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Just got our first boat and the engine is pretty dirty. Is there a way to clean the engine safely?

oshensurfer · Posted: Apr 05, 2004 11:07 am Post subject:

Try Simple green. Works for me.

Ruune · Posted: Apr 05, 2004 11:42 am Post subject:

yeah, or run to pep boys and get some engine degreaser and some engine cleaner. Instead of degreaser, you can use dishwashing soap.

salmon_tacos · Posted: Apr 05, 2004 11:47 am Post subject:

Most of the boat engines I've seen are pretty darn clean. Any idea why yours would be dirty? In a car, there's always a bunch of dust flying in through the grill and up off the road. A boat, on the other hand, is just sucking nice clean air.

Anyway, if you must clean your engine, be sure to cover up anything you don't want to get wet like the distributor, ignition coil, carb or throttle body, air filter, alternator (see a pattern? fuel and electricity don't play well with water). Use a brush and only flow or lightly spray the engine; don't blast it and never use a pressure washer. I'd also run the boat right after washing it to heat up the engine and dry everything off before the water gets a chance to creep into stuff.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

ah, thanks for the advice salmon, I was wondering about that. Places not to hit. I'm not sure why its dirty.. I dont plan on keeping it that way though.

MrBlean · Posted: Apr 05, 2004 11:40 pm Post subject: Why dirty?

criminally_minded · Posted: Apr 06, 2004 12:26 am Post subject:

No way to clean your engine better than pulling it out with a tractor, steam cleaning it, stripping it to the block, re-steaming, sanding, polishing and de-greasing it. Of course you wouldn't want to do this unless you had to rebuilt it completly, like me Confused

cstmgsxr · Soul Rider Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 470

not bad on that clean upcriminally_minded,

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

damn, that looks really nice. I don't think we'll be going that extreme with it but good job. I'll check for a leak but I don't think it has one. A lot of it is from bilge water I think, maybe splashed around or something.

MrBlean · Posted: Apr 06, 2004 3:56 pm Post subject: Pristine

Hey criminally_minded, what are you plans to keep it looking like that?

Are you running in salt water (or this a hang over from a previous owner) and if so, what coating are you gonna give the engine to protect it?

You're rigt about salt water - it's a bitch.

h2obug · Soul Rider Joined: 10 Aug 2003 Posts: 450 City: Muncie, IN

WD-40, PB Blaster, any penetrating oil will clean great without residue. Spray on wipe off dont let fumes buildup.

criminally_minded · Posted: Apr 06, 2004 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Pristine

MrBlean · Posted: Apr 07, 2004 12:01 am Post subject: Heat exchanger

You gonna fit an Orca unit?

criminally_minded · Posted: Apr 07, 2004 1:13 am Post subject:

No ideas at this point, I have only just begun to research heat exchangers. My mechanic used to install them on fishing boats, and he is an excellent fabricator, so we might make one up ourselves. Failing that would you recommend Orca? Your input is appreciated.

MrBlean · Posted: Apr 07, 2004 1:38 am Post subject: Recommendation?

I believe Orca are the OEM supplier to most engine marinisers for ski/wakeboard boats. I only came across them after seeing a unit that had been removed from an MC offered for sale on ebay. It was a good price but didn't fit my LT1. As it happens, I'm back in a feshwater lake so didn't need it anyway.

Their site is www.orcamarine.com

I have no personal experience but it all seems kosher.

criminally_minded · Posted: Apr 07, 2004 2:00 am Post subject:

Great link, thanks I'm emailing them RE: prices now.

Cheers, and I'll let you know how it goes.

deepcove · Soul Rider Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 296 City: Vancouver

Criminally minded

Make sure you also install a flush kit. I run in salt, i have a closed cooling system and a flush kit on my 04 Mobius DD. With the flush kit installed you will get more life out of your risers and manifolds.....providing you flush after each use. This is also very handy for winterising as you can have the hose coming from a bucket of anti-freeze to flow thru your manifolds.

by the way...motor looks great. Last year I had a Ford 302 rebuilt to marine specs, bored .20 over, flat top pistons, big vlave heads...yada, yada, yada. Do yourself a favour and make sure you install a hi torque cam while you have your block in pieces. It will make a world of difference with your hole shot.

Cheers

criminally_minded · Posted: Apr 07, 2004 9:31 pm Post subject:

deepcove, Thanks for the advice! Any recommended manufacturers for the cam/flush kit?