As has been indicated in a number of other threads I have posted, I am reconditioning a 302 I pulled from the j/y. This includes a basic check of tolerances and such; I am leaving it intact as possible.

One area of concern is its filthy! Inside and out. The biggest issue with the outside dirt is I want to paint. Mechanically speaking the inside dirt obviously is the concern. Any suggestions on addressing this?

The inside dirt is basically from some debris that fell in the lifter valley during reassembly. I can get much of this with a shop vac and a rag but that only goes so far. It was dry of oil (pnp drains vehicles of oil as the come to the yard) when I got it but looked as if its previous owner wasn't the most proactive oil changer in the world; some work rod bearings also suggest this.

Ideally a parts washer would be useful but the only one I have access to is not really big enough for a mostly assembled short block; its just got a standard size tub. Is there a soaker for this sort of thing? A dish washer for motors? Not sure how this would affect the lube around the bearings though.

I get it may come down to a good oil filter and a quick change of the first oil which would occur anyway. I am being careful to clean around the critical areas like bearings and such as best possible. Please advise of any suggestions.

 

Inside ? Spray carb cleaner and clean paper towels. ( I "recycle" the dirty towels by using them to start the fires I'm using to burn a stump) Outside the block ? EZ-off Oven cleaner and a water hose.

 

Cool. I was thinking gasoline or kerosine or something.

 

I've used gasoline too.