Hey Doc!!!... nice subjet is this
... I LOVE engine bays! jjeje... and you question is very very right.. there are a lot of things that you can do now or never i could say...
the replacing of all kinda lines the car have is 20 times easier this way, with no engineand trans in the way.... I´m not sure if it is cheap or not, but once you start replacing lines, you will do ALL of them... Be careful when you disconect any brake line from the distribution block... nuts are always rusted and the block is made of bronze (cupper? dont know the english naming) and it is easy to destroy...
A good engine bay treatment we talked before several times and yes THIS IS THE TIME! jeje...
Check your shock towers from cracks, check for rust on the bottom corners of the cowl...
DO EVERYTHING IN ORDER!!... and take notes of everything you´re taking off... you are gonna be painting the bay so, if lines and wires are off... it´s gonna come up great!
Another thing you can do is to change all ruber insulators, seals and grommets down there...
It is a nice time to do mantainence to the steering column too... Ohh!! your SHIFTER!!!... Is your car manual?? if it is, the transmision shifter assy too.. Clutch equalizer??
Bottom line... you can work a hole year down there
I´m here to help in anything Doc! Remember!!