1989 Mighty Max engine rebuild

i ordered my new grill, clutch kit and motor mounts today. and here is what i worked on today: the bumper mounts after a wire brushing and paint, and a front end touch-up with paint.
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Oh, you absolutely gotta take advantage of the opportunity, and scrub the engine compartment! This is a prime time to get places clean that you can't otherwise, and the detail makes such a huge difference. Any number of cleaners will do...even cheap hand cleaner (which actually works pretty good...see link) will get you down to original paint and clarity.

This detail will compound how well the engine looks when it goes back in.

We need to conduct a truck~beauty contest on this forum, and I'm nominating YOU!

Power washer time, lol.

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Originally Posted by BradMph

Power washer time, lol.

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Power washing doesn't do the same thing as hand-washing. Hand washing gets dirt off and leaves some shine. I'm always concerned about disconnecting stuff with a power wash. And I am not a big believer in traditional engine degreasers.

the problem with cleaning the inside, is first, its inside a garage, and second: you said to use hand cleaner, but do i have to remove everything else inside the engine compartment? I'm a little afraid of doing that, if i can clean over the existing components i'd love to give it a try.

I'm assuming your garage floor is sloped toward the door, so with a garden hose, it shouldn't be a problem: in fact, hosing down (and out) the floor afterwards only improves things.

You can use dish soap. If you have Dollar General or Family Dollar stores in your area, see if they have "Awesome!" cleaner in a half-gallon jug...of you can get the squirt bottle. It's a great, environmentally-friendly degreaser. The hand cleaner can loosen up and degrease the frame under the engine. It's an option, not a requirement.

There's not much I'd think you'd have to remove, except maybe the battery, and only to clean behind it. The engine compartment is designed to deal with water: you drive in the rain, right? Well, you're not going to hurt anything with a consciencious cleaning, and it will dry by the time you're ready to put things back together.

And you will be so glad you did, for all the right reasons.

is this the cleaner that you are talking about royster?
http://www.amazon.com/LAS-PURPOSE-CO...ome%21+cleaner

i think i'm going to give it a whirl royster, you talked me into it. I had originally planned to do nothing with the inside of it, but i'll bag the intake and then scrub and spray her down. Hopefully it shows nicely when done, because you guys like pictures, i'll do before and after shots.

That's indeed the stuff.

Covering the intake etc is a good idea....you might also want to cover the transmission, just to be safe, and anything else that might benefit from NOT getting wet. Rags, a paint brush and a scrub brush will get you some good results. Plus then you'll have a clean "environment" to be working in.

Once you start, you'll see it rather inspires the rest of the task.

i believe you, i am going to get my supplies and friday i'll clean it up, roll it outside hopefully in the nice sun and get it clean. Should be getting my motor back shortly from the machinist.

Alrighty royster. I'm glad you guys talked me into cleaning it up, Here is some eye candy, before and after shots along with the old and new grille.Attachment 9369Attachment 9373Attachment 9370Attachment 9374Attachment 9371Attachment 9375Attachment 9372

i also got my new clutch and motor mounts in the mail. I also talked to my machinist today and he says within the following wqeek he should be complete. Excitement is kicking in.:shock:

Wow, what a huge difference...and you will be so glad you did this when the renewed engine goes back in.

If you were to evenly spray and wipe everything with ArmorAll, you will be stunned at the glowing results.

Nice job! You went the distance.

wow, nice looking grille, good clean-up too.

Got me inspired to do mine.

Thanks royster, definitly worth it mitchi

So i got the engine parts back today. A whole truck bed worth. Now the fun begins. Probably will be starting saturday....

Very nice progression..

Ill have pictures shortly as well. Thanks hiball!

Alrighty, a handful of hours later i have some update photos:Attachment 9722Attachment 9723Attachment 9724Attachment 9725Attachment 9726Attachment 9727Attachment 9728Attachment 9729Attachment 9730Attachment 9731Attachment 9732Attachment 9733

I also got the painted motor mounts in and I finished touching up the front end with paint.
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She runs. Pictures and more details tonight.

ok, so here are some pictures from day one (Yesterday 12 hours): Assembled the engine as well as drop it into the engine bay and get some of the other items installed.
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Day Two: Finished the intake and the bumper grille and other small front end items, including a new horn.:
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So after running the engine a little bit today, it doesn't seem to be running properly, some insight from the peanut gallery of experts would be greatly appriciated. The problem i have is two things that may be related. The first problem is illustrated in the image, is a vacuum hose missing from this?:
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Second problem, When i accelerate the engine pulses a bit, and it doesn't seem to run in its full potential, also sometimes when i accelerate it accels, but when i get to a certain part of the pedal pushing it studders until i release the pedal a little and it works better. Please help with this...

The photo shows no B belt for that silent shaft: did you eliminate both silent shafts?