8N Newbie question

[baughmama]

Kind of a rookie question but I find it wiser to ask and look dumb than to act and confirm dumbness. My 8N has been sitting for several years and I recently got it going, now I want to clean it up. I'd like to degrease and wash not only for appearance but also to take inventory of any leaks and their origins. That leads me to two questions:
1. Any places/parts to avoid spraying with water? (Probably NOT using pressure washer, just garden hose)
2. What's a good or preferred degreaser that is strong enough to clean but won't damage what paint is left?

 

[flying belgian]

Kind of a rookie question but I find it wiser to ask and look dumb than to act and confirm dumbness. My 8N has been sitting for several years and I recently got it going, now I want to clean it up. I'd like to degrease and wash not only for appearance but also to take inventory of any leaks and their origins. That leads me to two questions:
1. Any places/parts to avoid spraying with water? (Probably NOT using pressure washer, just garden hose)
2. What's a good or preferred degreaser that is strong enough to clean but won't damage what paint is left?

Can you haul it to the car wash? That way if you get something wet and it won't start you can just haul it home.

 

[Ed S.]

If your 8N is a 1948-mid-1950 with the front-mount distributor, avoid spraying directly at or near the distributor. Not a bad idea with the later side-mount dizzy models, either.

If you have a lot of grease and crud, wear safety glasses, gloves and old clothes, as some of that will end up on you.

Check for wasp nests, too! I knocked one the size of my fist out of the cavity in the hood in front of the radiator (kept seeing single wasps coming in and out under the radiator cap).

 

[baughmama]

If your 8N is a 1948-mid-1950 with the front-mount distributor, avoid spraying directly at or near the distributor. Not a bad idea with the later side-mount dizzy models, either.

If you have a lot of grease and crud, wear safety glasses, gloves and old clothes, as some of that will end up on you.

Check for wasp nests, too! I knocked one the size of my fist out of the cavity in the hood in front of the radiator (kept seeing single wasps coming in and out under the radiator cap).

Thanks, it's side mount. No wasps as I've had the hood off to replace the fuel tank but there is a spider living under the seat . I greased all zerks I could find, only the left steering fitting gave me trouble. But anyway after washing I'll grease again to get the water out of the joints.

 

[JMOR]

Water can get into trans/hyd compartment via shift lever.

 

[Jim L WA]

As for a cleaning product, I would use Dawn or a Strong solution of Simple Green.

 

[baughmama]

Water can get into trans/hyd compartment via shift lever.

Just put a new boot on it today!

 

[Ultradog MN]

I like Purple Power.
I get it at O'Reilly's auto.
I use a pressure washer then spray on PP 50/50 mix from a garden sprayer.
I use a semi stiff brush and scrub it in as I spray.
Let it sit for a while and spray/brush on more so it doesn't dry out.
Pressure wash.
Repeat.
ZEP brand also sells a purple cleaner which I have tried but it is not nearly as effective.
If you don't have a pressure washer you can use a hose. It won't be as effective but will still do a lot of cleaning.

 

[ratface]

Diesel soaked rag works really well on old grease and oil and really shines up that red paint.

 

[Jim in LA]

Super Clean is also an excellent cleaner/degreaser. Use rubber gloves when handling these type cleaners.