I have always used engine degreaser but not cheap stuff as it is not anywhere near as effective. But i also steam clean engine with hot water and plenty of pressure and it comes up like new again.

where would you do it then? the ground is going to get messy regardless of where you do it.

Do it on a level surface with cardboard under the engine bay.

I would say crc makes a good cleaner but I haven't used sinse 98 or so.
So I don't know what else is available now.

I am currently using crc engine assembly lube in my rebuild. It's a bit different than the arp molly. But it works the same. I don't think arp molly can be beat.

I know HH disagreea but I cleaned my block with the pb blaster and it looks great. I sprayed it on let it sit and took a brass toothed brush too it and it looks great.

I personally don't like using degreaser followed up by spraying down the engine...

I would suggest getting a pack shop towels, cleaner (orange blast/kerocene), followed by armor all and taking some time detailing the engine.

Mothers Mag. and Alum. polish (safe for all metals) works wonders things like your alternator, intake manifold, throttle body ect... it just takes a while.

Mothers is good stuff. It was a secret for a long time among car guys then it blew up comercially.

so if i were to go to an auto store today, what would be my list?

I can't tell you what to go buy.

There are so many opinions in this thread...., and all of them are probably good ways to go.

You will definitley want 1 or 2 small brass bristled brushes. Probably a roll of the classic red shop towels.

Some kind of engine degreaser or grease and rust penatrent.
Which ever you decide, get enough to do the entire job.
If you purchase to much you can either take it back or save it till you need it.

I still say pb blaster, but I can see where brakeclean would work as well.
The big thing with the blaster is there is absolutely no water in it.
If it gets on your clothes you get tired of smelling it, but it doesn't irritate your skin.

Mothers is good but isn't really for cleaning the engine bay.

Scotch brite pads. For those pesky metal tubes and what nots.

Last but not least..., your girl. because you're going to find that you need smaller hands to get into some of the places your dick skinners won't reach.

Yeah Mothers and other kinds of alum. polish take a long time to make them look shinny, since you have to polish it untill you get the black film and it leaves some kind of greased protection.

A bit of hard work
 

Well, if you ever DO figure out which stuff to use.

And you ever DO get to cleaning that engine bay.

And you DO spend a LOT of time on the job.

Let's hope it turns out like suprra_girl's.

YA, you can see her wntire build thread at: www.thesupraforums.com

She painted that thing in her drive way. I don't know how much help she has had but her ride is a bang up good job. New parts are always easier to shine.