Cleaning and Inspection

If the engine is disassembled, thoroughly clean the cylinder block with solvent. Remove old gasket material from all machined surfaces. Remove all plugs that seal oil passages and clean out all the passages. Blow out all passages, bolt holes and other openings with compressed air. Make sure threads in the cylinder head bolt holes are clean. Dirt in the threads may cause binding and result in a false torque reading. Use a tap to true-up threads and to remove all deposits. Thoroughly clean the grooves in the crankshaft bearings and bearing retainers.

Check all machined surfaces for burrs nicks scratches and scores. Remove minor imperfections with an oil stone.

Replace all plugs that show evidence of leakage. Inspect the cylinder walls for scoring, roughness or other signs of wear.

After the cylinder block has been thoroughly cleaned, check it for cracks. Invisible cracks may be detected by coating the suspected area with a mixture of 25 percent kerosene and 75 percent light engine oil. Wipe the part dry and immediately apply a coating of zinc oxide dissolved in wood alcohol. Do not use rubbing alcohol as a substitute. If crocks are present the coating will become discolored at the damaged area. Replace the cylinder block if it is cracked.