I just am trying to figure out what I need to buy. I have nothing yet except some engine-cleaning brushes, but I need a lot more than that Im sure.

I'm thinking the machine shop cleaned it out before tehy gave it to me, but Im also pretty sure it's customary for us to go back behind them and re-clean it, right?

I've got a crankshaft that was turned and a block that was bored (fortunately that was all it needed)... so it needs to be clean to go back together.

 

Take the block to the quarter wash, unless you have a pressure washer. I usually take some soap, too. Hose everything, everywhere. Take it home and hit it with compressed air to dry it. Everywhere. Then brake or carb cleaner, lots of cleaner. Wipe down until nothing comes off. Use a paper towel over a rag. Chase all threads with a tap to remove anything from the threads that would alter torque readings. You already have the brushes to chase out oil passages. Really there isn't that much too it. Making sure it's immaculate is key.

 

I was thinking about going that route but I was worried about it rusting between the car wash and the house and the other deal is that I dont have an air compressor. Not yet anyway. Is it necessary? Can I get away with one of those small cheapie deals ($50-$100 or so?) for this?

Im guessing the same procedure applies to my cranksahft too, right?

 

The crankshaft, not really. That can just get hosed with brake/carb cleaner and then run the brush through the oil passages. Only the block really needs the full treatment due to all the nooks and crannies it's got.

Edit: you could probably get away with one of the smaller compressors, if it's sole purpose is an air nozzle. Probably not 100% necessary, but it's real nice to shoot air through the oil and water passages.

 

For blocks I use a pressure washer with hot water from the hot water heater along with a degreaser.
You're right about Iron rusting right away within a minute or two of finishing.
Dry the most important surfaces (cylinder bores and decks ) first and hit them with some lube.
I make a spray bottle with a mix of motor oil and WD40 because it's easy to spray and coat parts quickly.

For cylinder heads I have a cleaning tank with mineral spirits and another tank of motor oil to dip parts into after cleaning.

 

Right before assembly wipe the bores down with clean automatic transmission fluid. Use a rubber glove. ATF will not only clean the crap out of your block but will strip the oils from your hands.

 

my blocks are usally pretty clean from the hot tank at the machine shop, i just shoot brake cleaner where it will be painted. never use shop/cloth rags, use paper towels. cloth will clog oil plumbing.

 

Coin wash the block with hot water and soap. If you're done and you're still dry, it's not clean enough. The minimal amount of surface rust that will form until you get the block home for final cleaning is nothing.

Get a jug of WD40 with a sprayer, not an aerosol can. Spray down everything. Wipe out the cylinder walls with clean lint free rags until the rag comes clean after spraying them down. Brake clean everything when done to remove the WD40 buildup on the exterior for painting. Coat the cylinder walls and bearing surfaces one more time with WD40 to prevent any surface rust.

 

Does it matter that the cam bearings are already installed? Will any of these solvents and soaps and rust inhibitors and water and so forth damage bearings?

 

no, just wipe debris away, and coat heavily with assembley lube.