DIY Network

Engine Dress-Up Pt. 1: Under-Hood Chrome Panels From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-106

	Figure A
	Andrew Totolos does a little makeover-TV as he dresses out the engine on this '88 Honda CRX.

In this episode, host Andrew Totolos tricks out a 1988 Honda CRX with an engine from a 1995 Honda Del Sol (figure A). In this first segment, Andrew introduces the car and then shows how to install chrome mirror film in cutout areas under the car's hood. He also describes the basic process for cleaning an engine properly.

Materials:

Door-panel removal tool
Grease pencil
Shop rags
Degreaser
Draft paper
Marker
Scissors
Soapy water
Popsicle stick

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Installing Chrome Mirror-Film Under the Hood

Steps:

• Unplug the windshield washer line. A door-panel-removal tool will easily remove the hose clips from the hood (figure B), but be careful separating the lines because the plastic connectors can become brittle with age.

• There are two bolts on each side holding the hood in place at the hinges. Use a grease pencil to mark lines across where the hood and hinges meet before loosening the bolts (figure C). Later, when replacing the hood, you'll simply line up the marks so that the hood will fit just like it did before it was removed.

  Figure B

  Figure C

  
  

  Figure D

• Now you're ready to unbolt and remove the hood. For safety's sake, have a second person help you remove the hood.

• With the hood removed, it's a good time to do a thorough cleaning of the engine (figure D).

  (Scroll down to the bottom of this article for instructions on how to properly clean an engine.)
  

  	Figure E
  	Figure F

  
  

• Using a high-quality wax and grease remover and lint-free cotton rags, clean the underside of the hood so the mirror film will stick well.

• Use craft paper to make paper templates for the mirror film. Using a marker, trace a line on the paper all the way around the edge of each underhood-indention while holding the paper in place.

• Pull the paper out of the indention and cut out the template (figure E), leaving about 1/4" outside the traced line.

• Lay the template on top of the mirror film, trace the template with a grease pencil (figure F) and cut out the template with scissors. The film is fragile, so use care as you test the fit and trim any excess paper.
  

• Mist the surface of the film with some soapy water for lubrication. Peel back the adhesive backing and carefully slide the film into place (figure G).

• Use a popsicle stick or other blunt object to tuck the film underneath the hood supports (figure H).

  Figure G

  Figure H

  
  

• Smooth out any bubbles by pushing them to the edge with your finger (figures I and J).

  Figure I

  Figure J

  
  

  Engine Cleaning

  Materials:
  
  Newspaper
  Degreaser
  Plastic bags
  Soft cotton cloth
  Wire ties or rubber bands
  Small wire-brush

  Steps:

  • Start engine and let it run for approximately 5 minutes. Turn off engine. The engine should be warm to the touch, but if you can't comfortably rest your hand on the valve cover it's too hot, and the cleaner will evaporate before you have a chance to scrub it.

  • Lay newspaper underneath the engine to catch any debris.

  • Cover all of the engine electronics with plastic bags and secure the bags with rubber bands or wire ties as necessary.

  • With everything sealed, use a biodegradable degreaser to wet down the engine surface. Let the degreaser soak for 3-5 minutes before scrubbing every possible inch of the engine.

  • Use a small wire brush for bare metal and a soft cotton cloth for plastic and painted surfaces.

  • Gently but thoroughly rinse the engine with water.

  • Remove the plastic bags and dry everything you can with a soft cotton cloth.

  • With everything back in place, start the engine and let the heat work out any remaining moisture.
    

    Our project car: a 1988 Honda CRX with an engine from a 1995 Honda Del Sol.

  In the segment that follows, the engine dress-up continues with a repainted engine valve-cover and plug-wire upgrade.
  
  
  

  RESOURCES :
  

  Racing Innovations, Inc.
  Website: www.racinginnovations.com

  Streetglow, Inc.
  Website: www.streetglow.com

  Vibrant Performance
  Website: www.vibrantperformance.com
  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Engine Dress-Up Pt. 1: Under-Hood Chrome Panels
  	Engine Dress-Up, Pt. 2: Valve-Cover and Plug Wire Upgrade
  	Engine Dress-Up, Part 3: Exhaust Shield and Intake Upgrade
  	Engine Dress-Up, Pt. 4: Installing Under-Hood Strobe Light