I have my motor apart. Other than the electrical components like the battery, distributer and such, is there anything else i shouldn't get wet. I want to spray the heads which are off right now inside and out, and I want to spray the block too, which still has the rotating assembly in it. Can I spray it with water or take another route of cleaning? Any other suggestions of cleaning parts as well as the bay? Thanks in advance.

 

My machinist suggests washing blocks and such after machine work with soapy water inside and out, and then drying with compressed air, but why would you want to wash an assembled engine? Carb or Brake cleaner make short work of gummed up grease.
Also, I have been washing my engine bay (cold), electronics and all, with low pressure water for six years with no problems.

 

Don't wash the block if it's still assembled. Don't wash the heads if they're assembled either, unless it's a good hot sunny day, and you can leave them out in teh sun to dry. Even then there's parts that will rust.

Always wash blocks after machining!!! Don't assume that the shop's tank is sterile. I always have mine returned to me with no oil plugs, freeze plugs, and cam bearings; then I use rifle brushes and diesel fuel in the oil passages, and a small wre brush and diesel fuel in the groove behind the cam bearings, and then car wash them with a brush and a towel to get all traces of honing grit etc. out of them. Remember, if there's trash in the oil passages, there's only one way it can get out.... through the bearings.

 

Can I still use carb cleaner and such to clean the assembled parts?

 

As long as you don't spray the electrical parts directly with water it will be fine. And I always start the engine after I wash it too so the heat can evaporate all the water off to keep parts from rusting. And always be sure to wash off any cleaning fluids you spray on the engine. Some of them can cause stuff to corrode if left on too long.

 

The motor won't be started for a week or two but i want to clean off all the carbon deposits and such while its half apart. The block is still in the car but the heads are off. I want to clean everything and paint some things. So keep water off the block when I wash the bay?