Cleaning out a cast iron block

FIRE UP wrote:

Turbo,
Just a word here. While water pumps do a fair job of moving water/coolant throughout the engine, they do have a hard time "removing" debris/sand/large scale deposits/etc. that is lodged down in the water jackets and cylinders and block walls, way down low in the water jackets. I proved that many-a-time when I had the blocks out and on a stand, and even in some chassis that I did "in-chassis" rebuilds.

Now, again, that was way back then. I have no idea on how well the later engines are prepped for assembly these days. You're replacement is close the year/models I worked with . And, it did not matter what maker. I had the same results from tear-downs on Ford, Chevy, Dodge, AMC, Ford Courier, and more. Good luck on your venture.
Scott

It's one of the last Mark IV big blocks manufactured with a 1990 date stamp. I'll see what I can do to get it cleaned out as much as possible. I'm hoping I don't find anything significant when I pull the drain plugs. Yeah, I should have done that while it was on the stand in the driveway (note the rusty puddle):



But it's in there now - waiting for that radiator!