Dressing up the Engine
 

A clean, well detailed engine does a lot to improve a car's image, and is fairly easy and inexpensive to do. I cleaned the engine with GUNK last week and was impressed with the results, but it's still not clean enough for me. I want more. Last time, I covered EVERYTHING. The alternator, air filter, ignition coils, battery, every single one of those electric clip connections, etc. I sprayed the degreaser on there, scrubbed the surface with a brush and then rinsed with a spray nozzle on the "mist" setting to avoid putting too much water on the engine. Question is, was all that really necessary? My engine needs a second going over (it's still got a few dirty spots) and all the things I covered (aside from the filter, which I know needs to be covered absolutely) are still dirty. Do I really need to have them all covered if I'm not dousing them with water?

Once I have that finished, it's on to dressing up the engine...

Attachment 53841

Basically, this is what I'm thinking and I'm seeking your input as far as color, type of paint (if applicable), and even if I should bother doing it in the first place.

1. Strut tower brace. What color do you think I should paint it? Is it easy to get off? I don't want to take off the two bolts on each tower and either lose the bolts or have the suspension fall off the car.

2. Radiator cover. Not sure about this one. Paint it or not?

3. Valve covers. I think I can paint these while they're still on the engine, maybe each or every other vertical ridge? What color do you think I should paint these?

4. Ignition coils. Not sure if it's a good idea to paint these, but I thought I'd throw it out there. I could always buy new ones of the color I want, I guess.

5. Alternator. Would it be possible to paint this while it's still on the engine? And what color?

6. Spark plug wires. I was recommended to get Belden premium wires from Napa. What color do these come in? Or any color? A lot would revolve around that to determine the rest of the engine bay.

7. Wire looms. I would replace these with whatever colors the spark plug wires are, or if they are black, the strut tower brace.

8. PCM cover. I clearcoated it, but as long as I'm dressing up the rest of the engine bay I might as well do that too.

In reality I want everything to be the same color, but a lot depends on those plug wires. If they're red, then everything in red would look nice. If they're yellow, then those and the looms would be yellow but I'm not sure about the rest. Blue would mean a blue themed engine. Anyway, what color combination do you think would look best with my silver LeSabre?
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here some ideas.. but i think you are going a little overboard on the paint..

get some CD2 engine shine, and you will be amazed

Attachment 53838

there is no need to cover anything at all when washing the engine other than the air filter.

however, it is a good idea to keep from hitting electrical connectors and other potentially fragile items with high pressure water

They were just ideas of various things I could paint.

Yeah, I like that...would a red strut tower brace look good on a silver car you think? If the wires are red it'll have to do.

I think the alternator, radiator cover, ignition coils, and PCM cover aren't going to get painted.

Great, thanks. So the alternator would be ok with a little bit of water and degreaser in it?

I'll probably just rinse with the mister again, so I shouldn't have to worry about any high pressure water.
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the belden wires are dark blue

Thanks. I suppose red with blue wouldn't look bad. Or should I go with a blue brace/looms instead?
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you can put red loom over the blue wires also

Dress up is okay
But Ive always been a fan of SUPER freakin Clean...
Attachment 53813
My old 93

Attachment 53814
my 97, about as dressy as it gets..
However the INTENSE stickers did add horsepower..!

That's true...I think I'm going to get started on some of it this weekend. The cleaning and the looms, for sure. Wires too maybe.


And I definitely plan on getting the engine much cleaner than it is...I'll be a little more liberal with the degreaser this time. I have three cans of the stuff, should last me for a good while. ;)
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I'd suggest sticking with the OE black, grey, and one color. I loved the red Taylor wires i had.