What is the best way to clean up an engine block before rebuilding?

SPEEDY asked:


I have chevy 350 engine i have decided to rebuild myself(my first one). i have gotten all my parts in and now its time to go back together. But i need to clean it to get all the old oil and contaminates out. Someone told me to get a machine shop to boil it but i have called around and the closest machine shop in my area is 70 miles away. Thats a little too far than i wanted to go with gas prices now days. Is there a simpler, at home, way i can clean this engine block. I have a steam/pressure washer. would that be suitable or not? Could i just soak it down with mineral spirits a few times? PLEASE HELP!!
Roughly how much will a machine shop charge me to boil the block?

Bridgeport machine tool rebuild
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4 Responses to “What is the best way to clean up an engine block before rebuilding?”

  1. HandyManOrNot says:

    Bridgeport machine rebuilder

    Acid dip in a tank is the best. Machine shop should have it.

    Without that, the pressure washer would work, but first spray it down with an engine degreaser, and use hot water & detergent in the spray. Afterward, wipe it down with motor oil.

  2. gregory j says:

    machine rebuild Bridgeport Mills

    easy off oven cleaner works very well for this

  3. Dragnet says:

    Bridgeport spindle rebuild

    My borther owns a shop and they send them out to be cleaned. It is no longer an acid dip but strong cleaners and hot water. You should do this to clean out all the oil journals. then it looks like a shiny new nickel not your mom’s oven after the easy off…. YUCK!

  4. Littlebear says:

    Hardinge machine service advice

    when you add up the cost of your parts and if you consider the time you will spend rebuilding,,
    70 mi. is not that far, to make sure you are right before assembly,, also they will be able to “Magna flux” your block,, this will detect any possible cracks that you might not see with the ***** eye,,,,,
    but then its your money and time,,,,
    a case of “crc brake kleen” will desolve most anything built up inside and it dries really quick

    good luck,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,