Cleaning the inside of my engine... and other parts.

[npconnor]

I have a '73 Thing with minor rust by the foot pedals and inside the left wheel well (Better inside than outside right?) and with some funny gunk in the engine compartment.

(Can anyone give a guess as to what year/type of engine I have?

So, how can I clean out my engine compartment? I have been told it either looks like an engine fire happened way back when or that is just 30 years of dirt/dust/crud that has accumulated. I don't think soap and a bucket of water would do the trick... (My car is at my family's ranch... I can't spend a whole lot of time with it unfortunately)

As a side not, my left exhaust has a lot of top rust, tips on how to get rid of that would be welcomed also.

I'll see it in 2 weeks, and I'll be sure to get a closer look and try and scrape some off and "analyze" it...
_________________
'73 Thing
Austin Air-coolers Gang

[Woreign]

It would be much easier to clean the engine compartment if you remove the engine. It's not particularly difficult to do, plus it gives you a chance to inspect/replace the clutch, oil seal, and compartment seals.

[Towel Rail]

Looks like a 1974 non-California 1600cc engine, assuming nothing on it has been changed.
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car

049 > 070 > 053 > 009