Cleaning Engine for Paint

I pulled the engine and now want to paint it. I have washed it down with mineral spirits and now want to know what other prep I should do so that the paint adhere"s properly ? What paint should I use for a 71 200-6 ? Anything and everything you can tell me about this would help. Should I pull the distributor, balancer, these are the answers I'm looking for. Thanks Rick

 

i would had probly tried to wash it down with something less oily then mineral spirits

 

Best thing I have found in 20 years for cleaning a motor is OVEN CLEANER.

 

Do you mean the foamy kind ? Just spray it on and wipe it off ?

 

gasoline (to clean), masking tape,and high heat enamel paint 500 degrees +

 

Should I prime first or just paint ?

 

no, just paint
just scrape any loose/old paint, gasoline will cut the grime and dry within seconds, and just mask off distributor/etc if you don't plan on removing them.

 

Thanks The gas should cut anything left from the min spirits.

 

thats all i ever use for cleaning

 

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it does work, ive used it before

 

Now that you have cut all the grease/grime with the mineral spirits... Scrub the engine with purple power cleaner degreaser or simple green cleaner/degreaser. Rinse well,dry completely and paint...You can knock off any loose/flakeing paint with a wire brush before final scrubbing/painting. If there is still a large amount of original paint on the engine scuff it with a scotch brite pad (brown one is good enough) or scrub it one last time with comet cleanser (its mildly abrasive and will put some tooth in the original paint so the new paint sticks well)Good luck!!!

 

I'm a big fan of Greased Lighting. Spray it on and hose it off. Use an old paint brush to work the soap in the stubborn areas. Might take 2 or 3 applications to get everything clean. Remove as much parts possible to get a good paint job.

 

RT I was hopeing you would answer as I went back and searched some posting and saw yours. I see on yours that you used Dupi-Color DE-1606 Ford Dark Blue. After you cleaned with GL did you prime it ? Did you spray it with your plugs out, and cover off like in the pic ? Here are some pic's of what I'm stating with. RT any more things come to mind that you did PLEASE throw them at me. Thanks in advance Rick

 

I didn't use primer. After cleaning with GL I wiped everything down good the "real" lacquer thinner (acetone...not mineral spirits). I painted the block without the spark plugs or valve cover installed (didn’t want paint on a new cover gasket or cover bolts). Use cardboard to shield the inside the head as best as you can but don't worry if you get over spray on the inside. I painted the harmonic balancer on the engine using 2 pieces of cardboard taped together to catch the overspray. As always when using rattle can paint…read the directions. 2 minutes is a long time shaking the can when watching the clock. It will need about 5 or 6 coats of paint. Don't try and do it all in 2 coats.

 

Acetone, cleans everything and evaporates quickly.