A good rule for scraping off dirt etc. Try to use a plastic or wood scraping tool. Anything like a screw driver or putty knife will scratch what ever your trying to clean, unless you are super careful. It doesn't look good or professional if you scratch and gouge parts, use a nonpowered wire brush if needed. Especially on the rough sand cast part of the cast iron. Never use the powered scotchbrite pads on any machined surfaces, or for that matter on any engine, transmission, rear end parts at all, as they do remove metal like sand paper only its not even.
I don't see a problem cleaning and using water in the area behind the lifter plate, either leave the lifters in or plug holes like the one guy said. If you use water to clean inside hope full its a warm day, and don't go too long getting it back together and running.
After cleaning even spraying a bit of WD40 or what ever you like, to lube and rust protect.
Last edited by Truckrolet; 07/11/2013 3:18 PM.
