Re: Engine Cleaning and fuel tank restoration help

["David Teitelbaum" <jtrealty@xxxx>]

Brake cleaner works well if you don't have a parts cleaner you can 
clean it in. Another great way to clean parts is to spread them out on 
the driveway and use oven cleaner and a water hose. It will really 
brighten up the aluminum. Gunk is always good too but it costs more 
then oven cleaner. When you have the engine open the best thing to do 
to keep dirt and parts from falling inside is to use bits of paper 
towels or rags. When you are ready to reassemble just don't forget to 
remove all of it. You can also use a shop vac to get anything that may 
have fallen in. A small amount of dirt won't hurt anything as long as 
it isn't metallic like a washer or bolt. To clean inside the valve 
cover just wipe it out best you can and when you reassemble the engine 
put some "engine flush" into the oil. Go to the auto store and they 
should sell something like this just tell the guy behind the counter 
what you are doing. You run the motor for a while and then change the 
oil anf filter. To get the old gas out just use a piece of hose and 
siphon it out, the hose won't plug up if it is large enough. You might 
have to jack up the car to get enough height. What you can't get that 
way you can bail with a cup and rags. Good luck with your "new car".
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757


--- In dmcnews@xxxx, "James LaLonde" <deloreandmcxii@xxxx> wrote:
> Well friends, 1697 is now safely and legally in the hands of Erik 
> and Fred Geerdink. Whether they let her live in parts alone and help 
> other DeLoreans, or restore her to her former glory - she's in good 
> hands (albeit injured hands - Erik)
> 
> So I'm deep into fixing up 4009. She was GREAT GREAT GREAT cosmetic 
> condition. She has a custom exhuast, cd player, and alarm I wasn't 
> aware of until I saw her first. But I've never been one for 
> originality - she has ground effects for heavens sakes!
> 
> But I'm replacing most of the fuel system now, And giving her a tune 
> up. While I have intake manifold off I'm going to replace the water 
> pump and hoses around there (the rest look ok). And do some 
> detailing/cleaning up. 
> I just used some intake man. cleaner on the fuel distrib. and both 
> halves of throttle body/plate/air meter thingy. and on the air horn 
> and intake manifold itself.
> 
> I have a few bits of advice to ask of the member who have done such 
> things before:
> 1. How can I better clean the inside of the intake manifold.
> 2. How can clean the head without getting all that 
> dirt/creatures/anti-freeze in the intake ports.
> 3. How can I clean the valves/valve stems (they are NASTY) without 
> all that crap going down further into the ports/cylinders - or will 
> it hurt the engine THAT much to have all the crap go into the ports 
> (obviously some of the valves are closed-- but the ones that are 
> open would get a nasty dose of black nasty stuff)
> 
> 4. On the other side of the car - I just fueled up the tank... 
> (stupid me) and now I need it empty to clean it out. I can work 
> inside the tank fine with the gas there (replacing baffle/hoses with 
> Herv's new metal baffle)... but it is filled with disintegrated hose 
> bits, and rusty residue stuff. How the hell can drain the tank 
> efficently without removing it (not really D specific - just looking 
> for ideas).
> 
> As ever, I'd appreciate any advice you veterans (not that all the 
> DML are veterans :P) have!
> -James LaLonde 4009 (new vin sign off...)