| Abstract: | | | | HELPFUL HINTS: |
| This is one of a series of books that are related to | | | | · For that quick clean and shine, a good wipe |
| automobile shows and presenting your vehicle the best | | | | down with WD-40 on a rag will make all rubber hoses |
| way to be successful with these events. This specific | | | | and wires look like new. |
| book provides tips and hints on making your engine | | | | · Firewalls and fender aprons can also be |
| bay become an eye catcher. | | | | wiped down with a WD-40 rag to clean and make |
| After years of working on my own vehicles and | | | | those areas shine. This does wonders for a dull and |
| striving for perfection I wrote this book to share some | | | | faded black engine bay. |
| of the things that I have learned. The creation of my | | | | · For some of the hard to reach spots, such |
| judging guide was the first book that focused on how | | | | as the rear firewall, you can spray a vinyl dressing on |
| to prepare your vehicle for a car show. That book, as | | | | the engine bay paint, hoses and wiring in those areas |
| well as other helpful publications have been published | | | | and let dry overnight. This will give a nice shiny black |
| on the Internet. These publications provide guidance | | | | finish. Be careful not to get it on the body paint, or |
| and many tips to help you better understand what is | | | | other areas. |
| required to transform your engine bay into an engine | | | | · Steering and suspension components, along |
| bay that jumps out. | | | | with other lower drive line items such as the drive |
| The reason for this E-Book was that there are bits | | | | shaft, can be made to look better with a through |
| and pieces of information available on this topic, but | | | | cleaning, and then a wipe down with PB Blaster to give |
| nothing in a comprehensive format, making this guide is | | | | it that fresh look. PB Blaster is sold at many auto parts |
| a good starting point for the novice. The information | | | | stores and is also great for cleaning undercarriage, |
| contained in this guide will get you over the initial hurdles | | | | steering and suspension components. |
| and save you from having to learn everything on your | | | | · Using soft brass bristle brushes will remove |
| own. This is a helpful guide for the novice, as well as | | | | loose rust and debris from items such as the steering |
| the experienced car enthusiast. | | | | box, front end components etc. Once brushed, spray |
| Engine Bay Detailing & Restoration | | | | with PB blaster for protection. |
| -A guide for the serious enthusiast on achieving | | | | · Brake cleaner "if used cautiously" can be a |
| perfection- | | | | great cleaner for cleaning metal suspension and drive |
| 1. Introduction | | | | line components that are NOT, and I repeat NOT |
| At a public car show spectators see the end result of | | | | painted. Brake cleaner sprayed on a cast aluminum |
| many painstaking hours, weeks and even years | | | | transmission will loosen and make oil and dirt run off |
| required to get a vehicle to the highest levels of | | | | exposing the clean metal. DO NOT get this fluid on any |
| perfection. Attention is paid to every detail from the | | | | painted areas or the paint will be damaged. |
| shine on the paint, to making sure that the tires do not | | | | Another one of the least expensive improvements in |
| have any dirt on them. This e-book will provide some | | | | the engine bay is wire dressing. Of course you can go |
| guidelines on how to take your vehicle from a daily | | | | to an extreme with custom tailored sleeves, but black |
| cruiser that looks nice, to the next level. The main | | | | electrical tape can go a long way. Every wire should |
| focus of this guide is on the engine bay and drive train, | | | | look neat and well organized. Attention to every detail, |
| however, other helpful tips on other areas are included | | | | such as the wire terminations adds points. In the next |
| as well. There are many aftermarket products as well | | | | picture yellow and red heat shrink tubing just looks |
| as creative ideas that will open the door for you to | | | | sloppy and has no theme, including the wires having an |
| make your engine bay unique. This guide will present a | | | | unorganized appearance. Black tape in many cases |
| variety of ideas from those that are inexpensive and | | | | will provide a more factory look tying it to the overall |
| easy to do, to those that are very time consuming and | | | | theme and draw less negative attention. It's purely the |
| expensive. You decide what it is that best fits your | | | | preference of the owner and the look they are trying |
| needs. | | | | to get. Most of this engine is aftermarket with chrome |
| For the seasoned show car owner, some of this | | | | and other performance products including a |
| information may be obvious to you, but there are | | | | reproduction original battery adding a bit of nostalgia. It |
| some not so obvious tips that could help you beat out | | | | does not have to be done 100% as concours to look |
| the competition! Have they already read this book? | | | | good. |
| You should read this guide to make sure that you are | | | | 3.5 Passing The Eye Appeal Test |
| maximizing your car show winning experience! The | | | | Now that your engine bay is clean and you can see |
| companion book, "Peoples Choice Judging Guide To | | | | what you have to work with. The next step is to look |
| Car Shows-A guide for the serious enthusiast on | | | | for the obvious things that stick out and take away |
| judging and showing your car" talks about the | | | | from the overall look. The thought to keep in the back |
| complete car show experience and getting your | | | | of your head is, do the pieces (and colors) go together |
| overall car ready. This book focuses on taking it to the | | | | and is there a common theme, or does it look like an |
| next level with the attention to specific areas. That | | | | auto swap clutter of different things. |
| book also includes a handy checklist that you can use | | | | This book contains examples of many things "not" to |
| making it even easier not to overlook any details | | | | do. Examples are presented to show how everything |
| complemented with numerous color photographs an | | | | looks cluttered, and making it difficult to distinguish the |
| examples of what is described. | | | | various components since there is little contrast |
| 2. Start By Looking Under The Hood | | | | between the stainless steel braided hoses and the |
| Opening the hood should bring a smile to your face | | | | other chrome components. The focus here needs to |
| and you should be proud to share your hard work with | | | | be on dressing and placing the hoses and wires in a |
| others leaving them with a lasting impression. The main | | | | more organized fashion making it look less cluttered. |
| question is, what makes one engine bay stand out | | | | This is not an easy task given the space limitations for |
| from another and leave that lasting impression? This is | | | | the large engine in this example. Custom plug wires will |
| key to understanding what will get you the additional | | | | eliminate excess wire loops, and wire retainers and |
| point or points. At a car show, how a vehicle is | | | | wire looms will hold wires in place giving a cleaner |
| displayed and presented is the key to differentiate one | | | | appearance. |
| from another, and attract more attention. In this authors | | | | Complementary examples show same engine |
| opinion, when I have the opportunity to judge a car | | | | compartment with as little as what as in the 40 hours |
| show, even if it is a "People Choice Show", if the hood | | | | can do to transform it back to a more stock look. Note |
| is not open exposing the engine bay, I usually overlook | | | | that most of the chrome has been removed including, |
| that vehicle. The first thing that goes through my mind, | | | | the braided hoses and air cleaner. The wires along the |
| as well as many others is, what are they hiding? Lets | | | | firewall and fender areas have been re-dressed with |
| open up your hood and see what potential lies there. | | | | black tape, heat shrink tubing, and wire ties providing a |
| Depending upon the class that the vehicle is entered | | | | neater appearance. In addition the firewall areas and |
| into, there are different approaches to dressing up the | | | | inside fender areas have been painted and all of the |
| engine bay. In the case of a concours show, the key is | | | | decals were replaced. |
| that the engine bay is based upon its original look and | | | | 5.6 Detailing To The Next level |
| condition when it rolled off the assembly line. If it did not | | | | Taking your engine bay to the next level requires |
| come from the factory with chrome valve covers, | | | | extensive labor and painstaking attention to detail |
| there should not be any there now. This limits how | | | | above and beyond what many owners do. The |
| much customization can be done. For many other | | | | optimum approach is to remove the engine and all |
| classes, customization and uniqueness is the goal. The | | | | components from the engine bay area. This section is |
| owners' vehicle is an extension of their personality, and | | | | intended to give a general understanding as an |
| there are many steps that they take to personalize it | | | | introduction to this full level of restoration. |
| As a starting point you need to keep an objective | | | | Even if you are going to purchase a new power |
| opinion, along with a realistic view of what can be done | | | | steering pump, or other component, most come from |
| with your budget and time. Unless you are going to do | | | | the manufacturer with an okay everyday finish. If you |
| a complete engine removal and strip the entire bay | | | | want that show room look, follow the steps outlined will |
| you may want to see what you can do in a more time | | | | help get you there. |
| and cost efficient manner. This guide will provide three | | | | In some cases the owner may wish to use as many |
| approaches to refreshing your engine bay, starting | | | | original parts as possible and therefore rebuild and |
| from a general freshening, to a more detailed | | | | refinish them to look like new. An example is shown |
| approach with some disassembly, to a full restoration | | | | taking a power steering pump from a 1969 Mustang |
| with the engine removed. | | | | that started off as a rusty, and decent condition unit |
| 2.2 General Freshening As A Starting Point - Look | | | | that was a working. The unit was completely |
| Under the Hood | | | | sandblasted to remove rust, loose paint and debris, |
| This section will focus on what can be done with what | | | | primed and sanded as outlined above. The steps show |
| you have for minimal time and cost. The success of | | | | how this was made to look new, and the technique |
| this is based upon what it is you are trying to achieve, | | | | can be applied to many other components. |
| as well as what condition everything is to start with. If | | | | 6. From Stock To Fully Modified - Examples To Make |
| your daily driver is covered with mud and has 200k | | | | Your Mind Wander |
| miles on it, do not expect to make it a show car with | | | | Each and every owner has a preference on how they |
| just a basic cleaning. | | | | wish to modify or maintain their car. The examples in |
| Step back and assess the following: | | | | this section will provide some references from a stock |
| · Is the overall engine compartment clean? | | | | look to some of the wildest engine bays around. |
| - A basic steam cleaning and degreasing may be a | | | | You can find many examples where owners wanted |
| good starting point to see what you have to work | | | | to keep the engine as close as possible to the original |
| with. Depending how dirty it is, you may be able to just | | | | factory style to those with a completely modified car. |
| use a mild cleaner and low pressure water to minimize | | | | Once you have a great looking engine bay everyone |
| the mess. This is often a good approach for a clean | | | | musty be able to see it. One extreme in engine bay |
| bay with minimal dirt from driving to car shows, or | | | | display is a completely detailed engine compartment |
| getting caught in that rainstorm. | | | | with additional lighting to enhance the key details. Why |
| - Some of the orange based biodegradable sprays | | | | spend hours and hours, as well as many dollars and |
| are a good mild cleaning solution that will remove the | | | | not be able to see the results. Indoor shows often do |
| dirt and oil while minimizing any damage to the | | | | not have sufficient lighting along with shadowing. It is |
| component finishes or discoloring the decals. | | | | also important to make sure that everything is visible. |
| - Make sure to clean the underside of the hood. | | | | One example is the hood is on stands along with the |
| - CAUTION - Be cautious when cleaning a hot engine. | | | | air cleaner raising them up to provide added viewing. |
| Some cleaners can be over activated when sprayed | | | | Accessory lighting ensures that everything is visible |
| on a hot block and remove the engine paint making | | | | and enhances the shine and colors. This is a |
| more of a mess. | | | | combination of a great looking car that is well |
| There are many examples of common corrugated | | | | presented. An orange and white theme is carried |
| tubing and nylon expandable tubing available. Both of | | | | throughout enhancing the overall look. |
| these items can be found at most automotive supply | | | | No matter how old or how new the vehicle is, there is |
| houses and come in a variety of colors and diameters. | | | | always a way to personalize it. To give you an idea of |
| One advantage of the corrugated tubing is that it is | | | | what we are talking about a 1995 Impala is used. The |
| sliced/split along its entire length making it easy to have | | | | original factory engine was mostly black, and most of |
| wires enter and exit the bundles. When pulling wires | | | | the engine could not be seen with all of the rubber and |
| through the expandable tubing, plan in advance for all | | | | hoses. This is a very good example of what chrome |
| of the wires that will need to be pulled. It is best to hold | | | | and a bit of added color can do to catch the |
| the wire bundle together and tape all the ends together | | | | spectators and judges eye. Some enthusiasts take |
| with electrical tape to make it easier to thread through | | | | chroming to the extreme. One classic street rod is |
| the tubing. The tight mesh does make it difficult to | | | | presented with absolutely everything chromed except |
| have wires exit the tubing in the middle, but it can be | | | | for the engine block. You can see this engine sticking |
| carefully done. To pull a wire through the side make | | | | out of the hood from 100 feet away, and in sunlight, its |
| sure that there is sufficient slack in the wire inside of | | | | blinding. This is truly a trailer queen where there are no |
| the tube, then use a nail of other small probe to pull the | | | | fluids in this engine, and does not get driven. |
| wire through the holes in the mesh. Do not use a knife | | | | 7. Final Remarks On Detailing Your Engine Bay |
| or tool that will cut the mesh, or it will fray. | | | | Even though we are only presetting a few excerpts |
| · Is the radiator clean and free of bugs and | | | | form the book, by now you realize that every engine |
| other debris? | | | | bay is an extension of the owners personality and |
| - A light brushing with a "soft bristle" hand brush may | | | | there is no right or wrong way, as long as there is |
| help here to remove bugs, and other road debris. | | | | attention to the details, and a theme is carried through. |
| - A quick removal of the radiator and a paint job can | | | | Presentation is the key to differentiate one vehicle |
| do wonders. Often the top areas look bad from hot | | | | from another, and attract more attention to yours. |
| antifreeze boiling over. Removing the radiator, cleaning | | | | Your specific vehicle is an extension of your |
| it and painting it with high quality radiator paint will make | | | | personality, and if you have more than one vehicle you |
| it stand out. Be sure to use paint that is designed for | | | | may express it differently given the vehicle type. Look |
| radiators so you do not impact the cooling efficiency. | | | | at what others have done and open your imagination |
| Standard engine paints are too thick for use on a | | | | and embark on the first step to personalize yours. By |
| radiator, thus reducing heat transfer (i.e. cooling | | | | utilizing the tips here you are one step closer. |
| efficiency). The thicker paints could also fill and block | | | | So to get started, take what you have learned here, |
| the air flow between the tight fins. Always try to use | | | | find a local car show and most of all just have fun. |
| the minimal amount of paint to cover the surfaces. | | | | |