I need to clean/degrease and dress the engine in my '95 Camry (V6 LE). What are some general instructions and what parts do I need to cover to avoid getting wet, degreased or dressed? any opinions on products would be appreciated as well.

Avoid spraying electrical stuff and connectors. Theres a foam stuff you can buy that will eat away the grease, but you still have to be careful about spraying stuff.

Can be nasty stuff (don't want spray droplets bouncing back into your eyes), but for localized engine degreasing I like Berryman B-12 Chemtool. Instantly dissolves grease and dries with no residue. You can pinpoint the spray location and the force of the aerosol helps clean thoroughly. It's inexpensive so you can buy several bottles (cans actually) and the bottles actually go a long way. Used it after changing various gaskets and seals, to clean the areas around them. Underlying metal comes out spotless, and of course, can determine that the new gasket no longer leaks. Used it around the fuel injectors after changing the valve cover gasket, around the head after changing distributor O-ring, for cleaning gasket mating surfaces on the oil and transmission pans, and on various engine parts when changing timing belt and seals to get the metal clean like new before reassembly. Lay down some newspaper under the engine to catch the dirt and liquid before the solvent dissolves.

Try this site:

http://www.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=25

Should help answer your question.

Buy some cheap WD-40, spray on an area, brush in with a stiff brush & wipe off with a rag.... Not a good idea to drench you engine with chemicals.. Bob

Try this site:

http://www.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=25

Should help answer your question.

They say Citrus cleaners are the best, but I don't have citrus ENGINE cleaner, just regular Pine Sol floor cleaner, could I use a very mildly diluted solution of Pine Sol just to clean the engine block with a cloth?

There seems to be an oil leak on both front corners of my valve cover and I'd like to clean up up the engine block and surrounding area to pinpoint the leak.