I have a 396 shortblock containing the crank, rods and pistons. I'm getting ready to stab in the cam and put the pan and heads on. I need to clean out the lifter valley and bottom end without damaging the components. what should I use?? I was just going to use a half a case of breakclean...will this damage my rings?? any suggestions would be appreciated :confused:

Is this a rebuilt engine or have the crank and pistons not been touched ? If there are remnants of machining (metal shavings), then the block must be thouroughly washed so that no dirt or metal fines can spin a bearing or scratch the bore. I think the guys need more info about the history/condition of your engine. ;)

It hasn't been touched, but its been sitting for 18 months. I figure I just need to get the dust out of it.

Ive heard you can use kerosene to break a motor loose but ive never done it before.

I don't think the motor is frozen, it is in good condition, it just has a bunch of junk in the lifter vally, cylinder bores.... he wants to get all of the crud out of it, we were thinking of using a vacuum to suck everything up, and then "dump" something down the lifter valley hoping to "flush" everything. and then follow up with compressed air to blow everything out. Had also heard of using kerosene.