The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Block cylinder rust?

Basically, I have a bare 350' engine block that has some rust inside the cylinders. What would be the best way for me to determine if the rust has penetrated the cylinder walls to a point where the block is ready for the junk yard?

A heavy load of spray soap like Simple Green and a ball hone. Spray the soap as you hone till the foam turn white and not rusty. Rinse, dry, and wipe with a wad of paper towels soaked in WD40. A large wire brush in a drill will also work, just not as fast as ball hone will.

When I start an engine build for customers, strip the block to bare casting, no plugs of any kind, then sandblast the block, wire wheel, cut off any flashing and soften the sharp edges, then degrease, then power wash, then hone, then power wash again before sending it to a machine shop. I have them jet wash it when they are done, then I wash again with degreaser and scrubber pads. I use commercial floor polish pads cut into circles clamped to a threaded rod spun in a drill to clean the bores after machining. I also use scotch bright scrubbing pads cut into pieces pinched onto long welding rods spun in a drill to clean oil rails and lifter bores. Every bit of the blocks has been scrubbed or wire wheeled before assembly. They look like fresh cast blocks when I start to assemble.

joe

I use an inexpensive bronze rifle cleaning brush and a cordless drill to clean oil passages in blocks and crankshafts, along with brake cleaner spray. A 20 gauge shotgun brush works well for the large oil passages for hydraulic lifters. A 55 gallon oil drum filled with water and sodium hydroxide drain cleaner (lye) and a heavy dose of laundry detergent, works well for big parts- - - -blocks, heads, crankshafts, etc. Build a fire under the barrel and boil it for a few hours. Just don't put any aluminum parts like pistons, timing covers, etc. in there- - - -they'll disappear!
Jerry

I've got a couple of steel bicycle frames with super stuck aluminum seatposts as the only thing wrong with 'em. Maybe I could use the lye to eat them away?

Probably- - - - -but it will also strip paint- - - - -particularly if you boil the solution. I'd suggest cutting the posts off and drilling or reaming out the remains of them. You could also thread the posts with a big tap and use a slide hammer to remove them.
Jerry