I am re-assembling the stock shortblock, no machine work has been done to the block. I would just like to give it a quick clean up before re-assembly. It has been sitting on the garage floor for about a year. I don't have a parts washer either. Is there something in a can or some sort of solvent to buy to give it a quick clean up? What should I clean the cylinder walls with?

Thanks

 

Was it covered up or bagged, or was it sitting out gather dust and dirt?

 

Take it to the car wash. Find one that has good hot water. Bring it home and blow it dry. Wipe the piston bores down with WD40 or some type of rust preventative.

 

Really? The main + cam bearings are still in it. It was bagged, but one end was open and it might have got some dust or other stuff in it. I don't want to take any chances. I just want to make sure that it gets 100% dry.

 

Are you serious?? That scares me.....

 

im in the same spot. Can the cam bearings be left in when spraying it?

 

You failed to mention the engine was bagged. Me? I believe you cannot get it to clean. The last engine I built was a 427 big block chevy with iron block. Sprayed it down at a car wash, dried it with compressed air, and sprayed the crap out of it with WD40. That engine ran 109 mph in the quarter mile (only turned a 14.45 et... spinning all the way down the track!).

Bottom line: Your engine. Your choice.

 

What pistons and rings are you using?

 

Assuming that you do not have rust or corrosion problems, a car wash will work just fine assuming that you rinse all of the soap off, thoroughly dry everything with compressed air and then immediately apply a rust preventive. I used to be a diesel truck mechanic and we used a steam cleaner (with detergent) all the time to clean blocks, heads, transmission housings, differential housings, etc. before we would do any machining. Note: machining not only includes traditional things like surfacing, boring, and honing but also things like using files, die grinders, thread chasers, etc. to prep the block/housing/head. Once all machining is completed, we would wash everything again in clean solvent, blow it off with compressed air and apply a penetrating metal preservative)

Steve

 

Thanks for the replies. I would like to mention again that the cam and main bearings are still in the block. I could take out the mains I suppose, but not the cam bearings.

So as long as I use alot of wd40 once i'm done drying it, I should be fine?

 

You'll be fine. Just remember to get all the moisture out with compressed air right after than spray down with WD-40. WD-40 displaces moisture very well.