AmanES300

My Costco only offers like 8 tires for the proper size and they're all (relatively) high end tires with the cheapest being nearly $500 with installation. Since it's a beater, I opted for Falken Zeix ZE 950 tires from amazon. About $80 a tire with installation at my local sears. I think they're good enough for now until (if) I decide to put some wheels on it. Probably not anytime soon as I still need to replace the shocks and get the exterior looking nice. May just save up for a paint job and skip the cleaning since the paint is in such bad shape. Definitely need to clean the engine though. Lots of dirt stuck onto it. Any tips of cleaning the engine bay? What should I cover up, and what should I use to clean it?

LeX2K

No need to cover anything except the master cylinder don't want to get water into the brake fluid. Otherwise wash away just don't go crazy with getting the pressure washer too close if you're using one. For soap almost anything will work, dish soap, car wash soap, general purpose cleaner. Simple Green original (the green stuff) will discolour aluminum if left to dwell too long so I'd avoid it. For heavy build up there are dedicated engine degreasers. Sonax makes a nice engine cleaner.

Don't wash a hot engine.

HomerJay

I also like to cover the top of the alternator to minimize water, solvent and dirt seeping into sensitive components.