AutomagicLS1

iTrader: (18)

Say you buy a block that had a bearing spin in it at some point in time or some failure....is it possible that during the hot tank process and cleaning there could still be some metal left in the oil galley or other passages in the block?

bww3588

iTrader: (49)

it is possible. a good machine shop should be able to clean it for you. they have long wire brushes that go in and out of all the oil galleries.

RARON455

iTrader: (35)

Never ever trust the hot tank, If you are gonna assemble it yourself, GO to harbor freight tools, they have a brush set that is perfect, large and small brushes that will clean all the oil feed galleys, and the lifter bores as well,,Put the block on the stand, and get a bucket of HOT water, mixed with soap and I used puple power degreaser, then take the brushes and scrub the entire block, you can not get it too clean, go over it multiple times, rinsing with the hose, keep it wet until you are certain it is as clean as you can get it, then wipe the cylinder walls with a paper towel soaked in WD40 or motor oil, then blow the block dry using air and wipe the cylinder walls again (they will flash rust in minutes if you dont). And before assembly wipe all the cyl. walls with laquer thinner or acetone, multiple times until nothing is on the towel you wont believe what comes off, then wipe the walls down again with some oil. Do your best to find a lint free paper towel.
If you are not assembling the engine then the shop will do this, if they are a good shop.

ChucksZ06

iTrader: (9)

Make sure you take apart oil pump and clean the pickup screen, also what 455 said about brushing out oil galley's. Hot tank waste of money in my opinion. I just did a new crank in an engine with spun rod bearing. Lots of metal in pickup and oil pump. Remember the oil filter should stop all but the microscopic pieces.

NVR_SPDS

iTrader: (39)

I use a hot tank ALOT at work, and they work great at getting about everything OFF the block. A hot tank, and steam clean would get it damn clean, but doesnt compare to brushing everything out. One other thing that the previous posts didnt mention, was it is a good idea to remove every single plug, and sensor, etc before you start cleaning.