So while I replace hoses, knock sensors, remove intake manifold, etc, I want to detail the rest of the engine compartment. What works best to get all of the black plastic and rubber....blacker? What attracts the least amount of dust?

Jeff

 

Since your going to pull the intake off, be very careful taking those plastic shields off. There’s 2 brittle plastic pins (on each bank) that go through rubber grommets on that intake plenum. My advice to lessen the chance of breaking them is to get the engine up to operating temperature to make those rubber grommets more pliable so you don’t break those pins. After you run the engine up to temp, pull the intake tube off. The reason I say that is I’ve seen more people break the pins on the passenger side cover because the intake tube is in the way. You have to pull it out anyways.

The red circle shows one of the four rubber grommets. The yellow circle shows a small part of the part load breather. You need to be careful removing this piece from the valve cover and back by the throttle body. The part load breather can and will break very easily if it’s original. The green circle is the fuel line return. Your going to need a few fuel line disconnect tools. They should have then at any auto parts store.

Just a clearer view of the grommet.

This is the part load breather. That thingy on the right side is actually the tool to remove it. The very early cars came with it. Yours likely won’t have it.

This is the underside of the plenum covers that you want to clean. That is the tab that goes in the grommet.

I know this doesn’t answer your detail question but this’ll help with your removal process.

 

My most simple, easy, and safe answer is a spray can of WD40 and an old rag.
It cleans off most of old greasy stuff, and leaves a long lasting, satin finish on the plastics.
Bit of a bad smell while doing, but it wears off almost immediately after one heat cycle.

 

I use Car-Brite Wet, an Armor-All-type dressing.....and liberal amounts of OCD.


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I used turtle wax wheel shine spray on some plastic/rubber parts