Tweaks Re-build thread

[fastivaca]

what's ATF...?

Automatic transmission fluid

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[BLACKESTSHEEP]

ok..i'll try the 'simple green.'.i have some of that stuff..it works, and is strong..I'm just going to take my time in the shade, and go gentle and work my way through the crud...and keep a mental image of your immaculate engine compartment in my mind..lol...) :thumbright:

what's ATF...?

...in one of the pictures, you got the battery on the completely other side of the engine compartment..you have really put the work in and rewired everything from the ground up..waaay to too technical for me, ...over my head, ....but i can always dream ! happy driving..)

[Advancedynamix]

You'd be surprised. I've been able to clean up a lot of cars that looked hopelessly dirty. I had a 93gl auto that was covered with years of ATF and engine oil and funk. I was able to get that bay pretty clean, and it was a red car too. Start with simple green, it is not corrosive and environmentally friendly. If you need more power, go with the 505. You can cut the Zep with water also to dilute it a bit.

[BLACKESTSHEEP]

nice ! pedro's bay looks clean and looks brand new...i really like the 'all white' look to it, ..if there was any dirt or grime on it, you would see it...but there's not...my original 89 festiva is red, and the front wheel cover areas are kinda fading...i had an accident, oh, maybe 15 yrs ago, a guy pulled out in front of me, and the front wheel covers, hood, and front bumper were damaged...when it came back after the fixing and remodeling from the repair shop, it looked like new..unfortunately, it was a cheap job, and after a few yrs. now the hood and front wheel covers are fading a bit, and the front bumper just doesn't hold a shine anymore..i looked on ebay and they still sell brand new front bumpers for like 40 bucks, so i may replace that..I'm just an amateur repair guy here, nothing major for me, but i think i can do the front bumper..

I'll also look in to 'zep' cleaner..and the other chemicals you mentioned..your right, i dont want anything too strong..at least at first..i'll try the milder stuff first..i'll just take my time, and try to get that engine to shine again....it wont every look like yours, but i can always dream...) lol...:laughing3:

[BLACKESTSHEEP]

lol ! :laughing6:

[zoom zoom]

If I tried to do that to my Festiva the front end would probably fall off. Because I'd be removing all the rust holding it together.

[Advancedynamix]

Thanks! On Tweak, I used Zep heavy duty degreaser ( it's the one with the picture of a chain on a sprocket, can be purchased at home depot). The engine bay was completely stripped of parts and I used a pressure washer. This process actually stripped some of the paint off. But, since I had welded the front of the car, for my removable lower support and coolant cap relief) I just painted the entire bay with a fresh coat of white.

On Pedro, my current project, I didn't even have a hose available, so I used a 5 gallon bucket, and a pump up pesticide sprayer with an assortment of brushes and sponges. I used Zep 505 degreaser on Pedro, which is still very strong, but doesn't strip the paint. It took all day to get every nook and cranny to shine like new. To me, it's worth the effort because I enjoy tinkering on clean cars.


This is the bay on Pedro. No painting required, just plenty of determination and some soapy water.

Note: They also sell Zep products at Walmart. The 505 is usually over by the pool supplies and driveway cleaner. That's near the paint section at my local Walmart. The Zep 505 is a strong cleaner that isn't to corrosive on aluminum, but it will darken certain aluminum parts if left on to long. The heavy duty degreaser ( it's purple in color, and the bottle has a chain and sprocket on it) is extremely strong stuff. Don't use it on paint or aluminum. It will eat aluminum quickly.
Both of these products should be used with caution, they will irritate skin ( the H.D. stuff will melt skin). You should use protective rubber gloves and safety goggles when spraying harsh cleaners like this.

[BLACKESTSHEEP]

nice..!..thanks for reply...so did you just use normal soap and water ..?...i had a leaking fuel pump that sprayed fuel all over..the whole engine is now covered with a thick oily grime..i was gonna use that special "degreaser' stuff they sell at an auto parts store, but if i can go the cheaper route with just soap and water, i will..it seems to be a bit caked on, and hard to get off, especially around the spark plug inlets, and down deeper under the engine.....however, if you got the stuff off from a prior fire, then i should have no problems.lol...!..you can eat off the inside of your engine compartment.!.you definitely have done the detail work, and got in every nook and cranny, and it shows..beautiful clean look to it :king:

[Advancedynamix]

It just takes some soapy water and determination. Tweaks bay was pretty bad when I got the car, it had suffered from an engine fire and the firefighters covered the greasy grime with white stuff that made it even harder to get off. They also cut tweaks original wiring harness to shreds, but didn't cut the actual battery cables, which confuses me to this day.

[BLACKESTSHEEP]

that engine compartment is immaculate..!..so clean!..wish mine looked like that ...

[TominMO]

Chris may be older, but he's got an insatiable love for speed. He sold a 400hp GTO and his Impala SS to make room for Tweak at his place. He hasn't regretted that decision at all since he drove her home. He even drives Tweak to the Impala get togethers! Haha.

Major ROFL here!

[Advancedynamix]

Charlie,

I don't known how familiar you or Tweak's new owner are with Matt Farah and The Smoking Tire podcast but I would really like to see Matt drive Tweak for either a tuned episode or a one take video. I think it could really be an interesting video and bring a lot of recognition to the cars and the people that have put loads work into them. I just thought of this since tweak is now so close to the L. A. area were they seem to do most of their filming.

I haven't watched the podcast, but my roommate knows Matt through that industry (he designs equipment for podcasters and that type). I'll see if I can get ahold of him. Tweaks new owner is pretty particular about who drives Tweak, but he may make an exception.

Glad to see Tweak is still getting track time. When you said he was going to an older couple, I was afraid he would only be a grocery-getter. That would have been frustrating for him. I guess you took that into consideration when you sent him to a new home.

No, I was very very particular about where Tweak went. The new owner had to meet certain criteria, and a thorough inspection of the new home was conducted. Chris (Tweaks new owner) had a cherry B6T engine and trans in his garage for his other 93 Festy, so he even has the spares to keep the car on the road for a long time. His garage is reserved for Festivas only and he is very good with a wrench. Tweak is retired from my relentless abuse, but still gets to stretch her ( Tweaks a girl Tom!) legs. Chris may be older, but he's got an insatiable love for speed. He sold a 400hp GTO and his Impala SS to make room for Tweak at his place. He hasn't regretted that decision at all since he drove her home. He even drives Tweak to the Impala get togethers! Haha.

[TominMO]

Glad to see Tweak is still getting track time. When you said he was going to an older couple, I was afraid he would only be a grocery-getter. That would have been frustrating for him. I guess you took that into consideration when you sent him to a new home.

[gergorian]

Charlie,

I don't known how familiar you or Tweak's new owner are with Matt Farah and The Smoking Tire podcast but I would really like to see Matt drive Tweak for either a tuned episode or a one take video. I think it could really be an interesting video and bring a lot of recognition to the cars and the people that have put loads work into them. I just thought of this since tweak is now so close to the L. A. area were they seem to do most of their filming.

That would be awesome to see Matt Farah drive Tweak. I think he would love driving it.

[blake4591]

Charlie,

I don't known how familiar you or Tweak's new owner are with Matt Farah and The Smoking Tire podcast but I would really like to see Matt drive Tweak for either a tuned episode or a one take video. I think it could really be an interesting video and bring a lot of recognition to the cars and the people that have put loads work into them. I just thought of this since tweak is now so close to the L. A. area were they seem to do most of their filming.