Garage Storage Organization and Garage Cabinets

Mike M · **Prepping used bottom end**

The block I'm using for my T1 engine has been sitting for awhile and I was wondering what should be done to it before I use it. Ie clean out oil galleries or coolant passages, without pulling it apart and dunking it or whatnot. It was originally sitting in a garage and it wasn't covered, now that I have it its up on a stand wrapped up.

The top is a little dusty, and I'm guessin a lil dust got right into the crankcase too as the dist was left out. What could be done to clean this out nicely? Is it safe to leave it and just put a new oil/filter on?

And also - the top is relatively clean, but before I drop my head on it, what would be used to clean it up? Should I file it smooth or actually try to wipe it down?

Thanks for any help

05-28-2003, 12:14 PM

depending on where it sat and for how long is the factor, usually an assembled engine that ran maintains the oil in the bearings ect. for a long time. how do the cylinders look?? does it spin OK??
it's a good idea to pop off a rod bearing and check, if they're worn it's easier to deal with it now then when it's in the car.

Mike M · 05-28-2003, 05:23 PM

The top of the pistons are nearly carbon free (only a couple little bits), and it turns ok by hand. I'm going to need to replace the oil pan anyway, so I'm going to check out the bearing clearances most likely. I'm just worried about any dust or possible dirt buildup in the oil galleries (the water jackets can be flushed out rather easy when its assembled).

MachineHead · 05-29-2003, 08:51 AM

Have you thought about trying to prime the oil pump to push oil through the passage(there should only be one oil feed passage exposed) and maybe use a brake cleaner or carb cleaner for the oil return holes and deck surface?

What ever you do, do NOT use a file on the deck surface. It can leave it uneven and create leaks when everything is put together.

I would also use a clean rag with some automatic transmission fluid on it to clean the cylinder walls. The tranny fluid has a lot of detergents in it to clean really well and then it leaves the walls nicely oiled.