Engine bay management tips?

I'd go ahead and remove the a/c stuff if your serious about eliminating it. Then I'd unbolt as much things on the fenders and firewall as I could. Cover the carb and spray down everything with degreaser. Then go to town with a plastic bristle brush and clean as much grim and grease as possible. Next I'd remove the alternator and valve cover and sand/repaint them. Then replace all the rubber hoses and vacuum lines. That should really brighten it up.