chewy,
My 65 engine compartment looked about like yours when I finished paint stripping and wire-brushing. I did have a little rust under the cowl lip and in the triangle corners I couldn't sand off. I did this with the 273 engine in the car, but no intake manifold and everything off the firewall including heater box, steering, brakes, steering gear and linkage. I also propped the engine up and painted the K-frame.
I used Rust Destroyer which is an etching primer claimed good to 800 F, then light yellow Interlux Brightsides polyurethane via a foam brush. I also did the under-dash while everything was out. This leaves a gloss surface with Teflon particles, which should be easy clean. I'll post photos later. Looks much better than the peeling black rattle-can paint job I inherited.
A remaining concern the inner cowl. It is dusty, so I plan to wash w/ a hose when I move the car outside. Then after fully dry (this summer) I'll try applying rust converter thru the inside vent holes w/ a long foam brush, and from the engine cowl vents, as best I can. Does anyone know a way to remove the cowl to get at the insides (like Chevys can)? I think it is welded on.
