Engine cleaning
I don't know how much I can stress that you must clean an engine
good enough to eat out of. It is not so much that it looks clean as it
is that when you clean one that well you remove all the debris either
from years of use or from machining.
To start with ALL galley plugs, freeze plugs and cam bearings must
be removed from the block to clean it right. More importantly is that
they are removed before going in a vat or thermal cleaning system.
When the machine work is done, before you start assembly, the
block must be washed with soap and water, preferably hot, to
remove the caustic from vats, rust preventatives from spray washers
and oils used in honing. Brushes should be used to clean the oil
galleys and cylinder walls. Be prepared to spray the machined
surfaces with WD-40 or equivalent as soon as you finish rinsing and
have an adequate supply of compressed air to dry it off.
Likewise the crankshaft needs to be throughly cleaned and the oil
holes scrubbed with a brush.
If your machine shop did not clean the heads in the same manner,
take them apart and perform the same cleaning.
The same goes for pistons and rods and all other engine parts.
If you are not sure it is clean, do it again. Remember this is the only
shot you have THIS TIME.