Preparing cam and block for assembly?

[page62]

I have a freshly-machined 200 block, crank and a new cam awaiting assembly. Am I supposed to clean them in any way? If so, what's the best procedure? :

 

[addo]

I'd be cleaning them super-thoroughly. My choice is wax-and-grease remover and various brushes, plus the compressed air nozzle. Break all the sharp edges on your block first.

All block plugs should be removed, and when finished you should not be able to pick up a smear of colour anywhere internal, using white paper towel. Apply a light coat of motor oil to the bores by (clean) hand as a last measure, and wrap the block completely in a new polythene bag.

Clean the crank and cam similarly, paying attention to the risk of grinding particles being hidden away in them. Again, oil and bag when done. Allow up to six hours for the process, and possibly half a gallon of solvent...

 

[BUZZ]

I use at least a 1/2 case of carb cleaner. Make sure the edges of the holes in your crankshaft are round and not sharp and then clean them very well with pipe cleaners and solvent like addo said. They can hold loads of metal and grit from being turned or polished. You can never get a engine block to clean so I go over the whole thing at least 3 times. Also it wont hurt if you remove any casting slag or sand that was left in the casting, sooner or later it could break off on its own anyways. Also if you have compressed air I'd use it to blow out all passages.

Engine parts flash rust almost insantly so if you have to walk away for a bit I like to spray everything down with WD40.

 

[Patrick66]

I use at least a 1/2 case of carb cleaner.

same here, then i use brake parts cleaner as the last step because it dries quickly and doesnt leave a residue. basically getting the residue from the other cleaners out. during assembly ive used compressed air to clean every surface as i went.

 

[Broncitis]

Find someone with an ultrasonic parts cleaning machine and put everything in it, Done, end of story. The shop I use has a huge one, nothing better.

 

[MustangSix]

I use hot, soapy water with a variety of brushes. I always use a rifle bore brush on the lifter oil gallery and any other little passages. Then flush thoroughly with water, blow out with air gun, and spray with WD40. Once dry, I'll use brake cleaner to remove any excess WD before painting.

Clean is good!

 

[XFlow_Fairlane]

gun cleaning kit (has nice little brushes and extensions)

oven cleaner (only on ferous metals)

compressed air

the oven cleaner will pull ALL oils out of the surface on the cast iron so be prepared to wd40 it right away.

 

[fordconvert]

Look close at oil passages especially where they go into bearings, those are usually 90* turns that are great at holding crap.