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I am attempting to replace the lifters at the moment and I needed some help on how to clean the block surface.
How do I clean the surface without getting debris where the lifters/trays are? What about the water slots where coolant goes through? The bolt holes don't really make me nervous because I can spray them with air but how serious is it if I get debris into those coolant areas and the lifter area?
Put the rags in the holes and if you are still worried wipe the area down with brakeclean or something similar to degrease the area and then tape the area with masking tape.
Leave the trays in until you've done most of the cleaning, then take them out and shop vac, any debris will just be under the trays.
Also, after you've scraped as much as possible (like with a plastic razor blade), Bartender's Friend on a wet pad will get the remaining black stains off pretty easily (and then clean it off with water, it contains oxalic acid which you don't want to just leave on metal).
3m scrubbie pads and WD-40 does a wonderful job! use a razor for the heavy parts, your trying to shave it off, not dig, no scratches. one piston at a time with piston all the way up, wipe with a rag often and you'll have minimal crap going where it don't be long
Wow, that looks clean. Thank you all for the help.
Unfortunately one of the lifters is stuck in the bore on cylinder 3 so I have a real problem on my hands. I can pull it up with a magnet about .5 - 1 inch and then it get stuck and won't budge.
World record for longest running 4L60E with a fuddle racing converter?? How many miles? Mine lasted to 191k
As for cleaning. I clean with a razor blade and guide all the goo I scrape off and away from holes in the motor. Try to only scrape under the chunks between the chunk and the metal of the block. Don't go crazy with it. A little stuff getting into the water jackets wont hurt. If you get anything into the crank case you can spray it out with some cleaner and leave the oil pan drain plug out and let it run out. Compressed air and a vacuum go a long way here too. Once I get all the large chunks off and am just left with little stuff and stains I do a light sanding with 320 grit emory cloth. I do this very light until I cant feel anything with my finger. I can see something but cant feel it I leave it alone. You'll notice here there are some dark spots around the cylinders but I left them, the metal doesn't need to look polished, just smooth to the touch and flat and clean. Wipe it all down with brake cleaner and towels when you're done. I use paper towels.
Run the pistons up and down and clean off the cylinder walls. I like to wipe them down with oil when I'm done with it all.
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Help with Lifter Replacement 
