stripping the engine?

What steps should be taken in repainting the t-case, trans, and engine. I am looking for the best way to remove the 30+ years of grime stuck all over it. I tried an engine cleaner but it didn't go as well as I thought it would. Made a hell of a mess. what should I be using? Does the t-case and trans need a high temp paint?

 

Re: striping the engine?

I bought a t-18/d-20 setup to put in my jeep. While I had it out, I put some paint thinner(mineral spirits) in a plastic spray bottle, and sprayed it liberally all over. I also had it suspended from a shop crane, for complete access. Lots of newspapers on the table beneath it.

Then it was a matter of scrubbing with a toothbrush, q-tips, toothpicks, rags, etc. I did this several times. I wanted it as clean as I could get it.

When I was satisfied with that, I did a final rinse with spray carb cleaner,and wiped it dry with paper towels. I did that twice.

I masked off the tranny-to-engine mounting surface and input shaft. Then it was primed and painted with Rustoleum, which can handle 200 degrees. Suspending it was really nice for painting access, as well.

I'm sure others have used lacquer thinner, acetone, power washers, etc., but that's what I did, and it came out very nice.

 

The only parts that need high-temp paint are the exhaust manifolds. Even the high-temp paint burns off the exhaust after a few hours though...

I've always used plain rattle-can colors for the engine and transmission both. You can buy special engine enamel if you want - POR-15 makes several colors. Eastwood probably has engine enamel too. If you have a TSC nearby, their implement paint is well-regarded.

 

Engine specific paint is much more tolerant of an oily surface than other paints are. You can get it at any department store like Walmart or your FLAPS. I've used engine paint when I just needed a quick clean up after doing a valve job and didn't have time to degrease the block. Wipe the big chunks off and wipe the block down with lacquer thinner and shoot it with engine paint. Many still looked good a couple years later.