Beginning Engine Assembly / Sanity Check

[bingham72]

Ok, I'm about to start a fresh engine build. Just got a freshly machined block back from the machine shop. I know I now need to clean the block, but is it safe to wash down the block with Simple Green and water with the cam bearings already in place? I just see fresh bare metal and I can't help but think I shouldn't put water anywhere near there.

thoughts?

[bingham72]

Nobody, really?
I'll post this in the emergency room since I want to get it cleaned up tonight.

[Pro Stock]

By a brush kit from Moroso or one of the many suppliers out there and use them to clean out all of the left over dirt and metal in the oil galleys, make sure to remove all of the galley plugs so that you can clean them all, use solvent for this process and also clean the entire block with solvent then blow dry. Mix up a bucket of hot water and liquid dishwashing soap and clean everything once again making sure to pay attention to the cylinder bores, rinse everything well with cool water and blow it dry as soon as possible, then spray the entire block with with WD-40 or like substance and wipe the cylinders down with clean oily paper towels.

Dale

[1969CamaroRS]

x2 on what Dale said.

I'd also wipe down the cylinder bores with a lint free cloth using some sort of petroleum product. Marble mystery oil works really well here. The idea is to keep wiping the bores down until the cloth comes back perfectly clean. It will take a long time but well worth it to get everything as clean as possible.

Make sure you are ready to put the heads on and seal it up tight once you get it really clean and mask any holes you aren't sealing up, no point in getting it that clean only to let dust and dirt get in later.

[bingham72]

Thanks guys. I called the machine shop and he said all of the washing was already done. I did wipe down the cylinders with ATF til they shined like a new nickel. I'll probably do the same for the lifter bores and blow it out really well. Right now it's sleeping quietly in it's plastic wrap.