Engine detailing

[flusher]

My recently purchased mid-60s MF-135 diesel needs a real good engine cleaning (exterior) so I can service the fuel system and generally get the tractor looking better.

Any suggestions on how to do this efficiently (favorite degreasers, solvents, cleaners, power washers, procedures, hand tools, etc)?

Am debating whether to hit the grease with a power washer or steam jenny. There's apparently a division of opinion on whether you do more harm than good using these aggressive cleaning approaches (water in the electrical system, etc). Anybody care to venture an opinion or relate experiences.

 

[MMagis]

I just finished rebuilding the carb on my old Ford 3000, and like you, had a huge amount of buildup to work through. Everything had about 1/8" of grease/dust/seed surrounding it. I found that compressed air did a surprisingly good job of getting most of it off. It will at least get the worst of it off so parts needing more attention can be removed and cleaned separately. I used Chem Dip for the stubborn areas on the carb body, but I wouldn't spray that on the engine. Make sure you wear safety glasses or goggles, and I tried to direct most of the dirt toward the floor when possible.

 

[Egon]

I'd just go with a pressure washer and some dish detergent. I have been using power washers on engines for 40 years now and have never had any problems. [ even with the old distributor and and points type ignition ]

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I pressure wash my tractors when ever they get dirty enough to need it. Never had any issues because of that. I'm starting to restore an old MF 50 that was my fathers. Last time it was clean was probably 1957. I pressure washed it. Then I took to it with wire brush, paint scraper, screwdriver, and a blow gun (wear eye protection). Then a good degreaser and pressure wash again. Don't spray directly into any ignition components or the carb.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Flusher,
All good suggestions !!! I used some Purple Power available from your local NAPA dealer that works pretty good. Pressure washer can remove alot of the crud. The rest will be all elbow grease

 

[Egon]

Pressure washer can remove alot of the crud. The rest will be all elbow grease
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How do you get that elbow grease off?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Pressure washer can remove alot of the crud. The rest will be all elbow grease
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How do you get that elbow grease off?

Must have missed that in the manual. How often do you need to grease elbows?

 

[Soundguy]

Is that dino elbow grease.. or synthetic elbow grease?

Soundguy

Pressure washer can remove alot of the crud. The rest will be all elbow grease
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How do you get that elbow grease off?