[jeseusmi]

i found this engine online for $50. its a 350 shortblock and i was thinking of picking it up. my dad is a mechanic so hes gunna bring it to work and get it chemically cleaned. is all that gunna come off? what can i do to clean it up real good? (im only getting it for the block) all the parts are going to be replaced.

[DoubleVision]

There's no picture, just a X. Look at the casting numbers before you buy to verify it's a 350.

[jeseusmi]

ya i expected it wasnt going to work.. do you have any thoughts on what i can do to clean it up more than just a chemical bath. isnt there still going to be some surface rust? im rebuilding the motor with my dad and learning as i go.

[Silver Surfer]

Take the block to a machine shop and get it hot tanked. That will clean it up really good. You are going to waste your time trying clean it with brake cleaner and wire brushes. Some newer high tech shops will have an ultra sonic tank which works even better than hot tanking. You should also get the block magna fluxed and sonic tested before you start sinking money in it too.

[Huneycutt]

Lots of engine machine shops will hot tank and bead blast it for a pretty reasonable price. That combo will make anything look like a brand new casting. But only bead blast if you plan to at least have cylinders honed.

[Vberg]

Everytime I've seen a freshly hot tanked block they look amazing but they do start to get some surface rust pretty fast.....

[FmrStrtracer]

Originally Posted by Vberg

Everytime I've seen a freshly hot tanked block they look amazing but they do start to get some surface rust pretty fast.....

Bare steel, you need to coat the block with liberal amounts of something like WD-40, and store in an extra large plastic bag with the air sucked out to keep rust from reforming.

[1971BB427]

Originally Posted by FmrStrtracer

Bare steel, you need to coat the block with liberal amounts of something like WD-40, and store in an extra large plastic bag with the air sucked out to keep rust from reforming.

Not the greatest idea if it's going to get painted in the future. The oil residue will affect anything you ever spray on it, as you'll play heck getting it out of the bare porous block. don't ask how I know!
Better to get some cheap rattle can clear coat and spray the exterior, and wipe the machined surfaces with an oiled rag.

[bigdog7373]

I'd just paint it right after getting it tanked. Then you can go ahead and sprey the rest down with the wd40 since its obviously not getting painted.

[Vberg]

Yeah I just paint right after its been hot tanked then wipe the rest down with oil but the first time I had one tanked I wasn't so smart....