Originally Posted By: FordCapriDriver
I've powerwashed my engine bay multiple times, i start the engine and drive around to get the engine hot, then i bring it to a guy that i know that has a power washer, i cover the distributor, coil and battery with plastic bags and wash it with the engine hot and running, never had any problems i just do it in the summer and after i do it i take a long drive at high speed on the highway for half an hour or so to dry everything up.
You have the advantage of a decades old, "low tech" engine bay with plenty of room to prevent spraying it everywhere and little in the way of electronics to ruin. I would also cover the alternator, voltage regulator, and anything else in the charging system. Still, when I cleaned my 1960's and 1970's engine bays years ago, it only took 1-2 hours or so by hand every few years. A big advantage of doing it by hand is that you see and touch every component in the engine bay. If there are problems of any sort you'll be much more likely to spot them.