Engine bay management tips?

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Tylan

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Location
Washington
I'm not looking to work on this anytime soon, simply dont have time or money right now, but I wanted some other opinions on this. My engine bay looks very messy currently, with various dilapidated hoses and wires going every which way. The vacuum system is a mess, but intact enough for the engine to run. An unknown round part with (I'm assuming) vacuum lines and electrical connections coming from it is behind the air filter housing, looks ugly imo and am hoping it isnt necessary. As for the AC system, I'm leaning on taking it out entirely. The AC lines are unsightly as they are covered in rust and the rubber is cracking, and only adds to the messiness. The compressor itself is also rust covered along with much grime. Again, just looking for other opinions, thanks.
(Images taken on different days)
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My opinion only! Freshen it up and keep stock!

Otherwise go all out and not my cup of tea!
 
In Washington your car is old enough you no longer are required to run all the smog junk. If it was me I'd do exactly what you are thinking. Ditch the smog stuff, revamp as needed and toss the AC.
 
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.
 
You need to think more about how far, how much time you want to invest. What are your abilities? What improvements would make you happy?
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Get rid of all unwanted hoses, Air cond stuff etc, new washer bottle, repaint valve cover, alternator, air filter, radiator and master cyl, get wiper motor and all small parts zinc coated, passivated, chromed, powder coated etc. Renew all hoses, clamps and thoroughly clean fenders, firewall etc. You’ll be pleased with the results and it’s bound to impress when you open the hood - all for little cost.
 
Thanks guys for the responses, I feel more inspired now.

In terms of removing the AC, what would be the best way to evacuate whatever refrigerant may still be in the system? Taking it to the shop would be the obvious answer, but the car isn't exactly road worthy as of now and I don't have a trailer.
 
Just do One thing at a time. Pick something each week to R and R and in no time you'll see a difference.
I started on mine this summer (Pic1) and over the last couple months it went from pretty bad to pretty decent
with very little time and little money (Pic2). GeturDone!

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My MO is to always pull the motor and tranny and put the motor on my engine stand. Buy a gasket kit for it and change every gasket on it. Clean it and repaint it. Clean the transmission and put new seals in the front rear and on the bottom and the shifter seal. Change all fluids and oils I'm put on all new hoses and belts.
Well that's out totally scrub and clean and pain if you have to the engine bay. Disconnect all the wires from the engine bay harness and claim them with WD-40. Then go to Harbor Freight and buy some plastic wire loom cover uncover all the wires..
Reconnect motor and tranny and drop them and plug in all your clean new wires...
Like I did this last truck...
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^^^yuck!!..
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^^^gross!!!..
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^^^phooey...
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^^^clean clean clean...
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^^^clean clean clean...
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^^^put back together with new gaskets and paint...
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^^^reconnect transmission and put it back in the truck...
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^^^put it all back together started up and smile...
 
Thanks guys for the responses, I feel more inspired now.

In terms of removing the AC, what would be the best way to evacuate whatever refrigerant may still be in the system? Taking it to the shop would be the obvious answer, but the car isn't exactly road worthy as of now and I don't have a trailer.
There maybe a nearby shop that will do a service call to evacuate the AC, don’t know just a WAG. Or perhaps tow it to a shop,,,
But the question I intended to ask is: why tear out the AC system? It is my understanding that those early AC pumps are not too bad to rebuild and the parts are available. AC is actually nice to have.
However after reading your post linked in this post, my main question is: why in the heck are you worried about cleaning up the under hood appearance if the car is not as you say ‘roadworthy’?
 
There maybe a nearby shop that will do a service call to evacuate the AC, don’t know just a WAG. Or perhaps tow it to a shop,,,
But the question I intended to ask is: why tear out the AC system? It is my understanding that those early AC pumps are not too bad to rebuild and the parts are available. AC is actually nice to have.
However after reading your post linked in this post, my main question is: why in the heck are you worried about cleaning up the under hood appearance if the car is not as you say ‘roadworthy’?
I suppose I was exaggerating when I said it wasn't road worthy, I have driven it a very short distance down the road I live on. The reason I said I couldn't drive it to a shop is that the brakes work but the pedal doesn't return on its own, the floor has a number of rust holes, and the tags are expired, risking a ticket there. Oh, and the tires are dry rotted to hell. Also, I must admit I don't have a set plan for specific steps to take on fixing the car up, but I will say that I wasn't planning on tidying up the engine bay for my next step, this post was just so I could get a better idea for what I wanted to do.
 
I suppose I was exaggerating when I said it wasn't road worthy, I have driven it a very short distance down the road I live on. The reason I said I couldn't drive it to a shop is that the brakes work but the pedal doesn't return on its own, the floor has a number of rust holes, and the tags are expired, risking a ticket there. Oh, and the tires are dry rotted to hell. Also, I must admit I don't have a set plan for specific steps to take on fixing the car up, but I will say that I wasn't planning on tidying up the engine bay for my next step, this post was just so I could get a better idea for what I wanted to do.
I understand, for me I would:
If you have not done this yet, get the car up on a lift or safe jack stands and make a good appraisal of the unibody frame, torsion bar mount and inner fenders for rust damage. Properly fixing those can be more than a novice repair. If done professionally, can be expensive. If that inspection passes:
1)Fix the brakes
2)Replace the tires, maybe with used..
3)Repair the floors, maybe with cut out patches and a basic MIG welder
4)Do what ever basic repair and maintenance is required to make the car safe, wiper blades, lights, exhaust, shocks, wiring issues.
5)Get plates and insurance
6)Drive the car and address reliability and drive ability issues.
7) Address cosmetic issues like the under hood appearance.

Good Luck with your project. Keep us posted as you make progress.
Register for RockAuto’s Manufacture Close Outs,, from time to time they have outstanding pricing on parts for cars like ours.
 
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Thanks guys for the responses, I feel more inspired now.

In terms of removing the AC, what would be the best way to evacuate whatever refrigerant may still be in the system? Taking it to the shop would be the obvious answer, but the car isn't exactly road worthy as of now and I don't have a trailer.


When you loose a line once you hear it hissing turn your head and let-r-rip.

Been done in junk yards since I remember. Another squirt from your place won't hurt nothing. If someone says something just look dumb and say " Wow! I didn't know it would do that!!"
 
Judging by the looks of it, I'd guess there isn't much (if any) refrigerant left in that a/c system. Would not worry about a little leaking out.
 
I agree with jpar. A/C removed,mild clean up and some paint.Very little money spent.

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You want some real inspiration..
My 73 duster the day I brought it home...
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Today...
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It was originally a slant six car and the previous owner put a V8 k frame in it..
And a 318...
Brakes first though LOL...
 
It was a 73 that I bought and fixed up to sell...
Nice, hopefully I can mimic the way yours came out. Axing the a/c was a start but I have all kinds of modules and vacuum lines going everywhere I want to delete. Just want the minimum under my hood.
 
Nice, hopefully I can mimic the way yours came out. Axing the a/c was a start but I have all kinds of modules and vacuum lines going everywhere I want to delete. Just want the minimum under my hood.
As long as you won't need it to pass any emissions to get your tags you can pretty much do whatever you want...
 
As long as you won't need it to pass any emissions to get your tags you can pretty much do whatever you want...

Naw, no emissions here in my county. What I'm referring to is deleting stuff without it biting me in the butt later. I do have a repair manual from a dodge house for my pickup. But I haven't been able to i.d everything yet.
 
I like things Plain & Simple as it also makes it Easier to maintain... by letting you get at things when you do need repairs or just Trouble shoot issues...
If there is something I Don't Use that is not needed, I get rid of it !!! It's called the " KISS " Plan... " Keep It Simple Stupid "
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