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I just finished gutting my truck of all the old wiring, lights and anything like hoses, lines..etc that would come off the motor to be replaced. Im planning on sandblasting the truck starting saturday. The truck is relatively rust free so im not doing a frame off right now on it. My question is what is the best way to get the engine clean? Its got some mud caked on it from who knows when. Ive used can after can of engine degreaser and a hose to no avail. It got some off, but not all. Im leary about sandblasting it due to sand gets everywhere. Would some kind of paint stripper and a pressure washer be better? I just want to get it cleaned up for right now and looking nicer. Just trying to see what would be best. I know i can get things sealed up, but i dont want to chance missing something and getting sand in anything. Thanks in advance for everyones help so far.

Several methods are available:

1-Putty knife, elbow and degreaser. You must first remove the heavy accumulations with the putty knife! Then degreaser on the lite remaining coating. Then rinse.

2-Rent a high pressure water sprayer and do a little putty knife work first then the high pressure.

3-Rent or hire a steam cleaner.

ill probably end up doing the puddy knife and elboe grease one. ill have to see if i can find some extra elboes to help. thanks for the suggestions

"Easy Off" oven cleaner is a great degreaser and engine cleaner. Its cheap, and works quite well on stubborn baked on crap... Prior to that though, the heavy easy stuff comes off with an assortment of scrapers, as noted. A small wire brush and some WD/40 will go along way to loosening stubborn grit too. An excellent cleaner (although expensive) is Brake Kleen. I've yet to find anything that stuff won't remove.

The pressure washer is also a great idea, but be carefull, the blasted off grime can go as many places as sandblasting sand. Cover all the openings, and be careful where the wand is pointed, as well as the splatter...