Best way to prepare an engine block for paint?

[thechadzone]

I've got my 1608 down to the block, and I've posted pics of it in my Sport Coupe Restoration Thread in the Restorations section. It's pretty nasty... I can't do anything in the shop space that I'm in that'll smell strongly. I'm considering either pressure washing it, or taking it to a car wash.

Thoughts?

[124JOE]

low tech
putty knifes screwdrivers wire brushes
then hand cleaner all over the outside
rag wipe it clean
tape it off
then spray it

[maytag]

the worst killer of motor-paint is the outgassing that occurs when the motor heats-up. The best method I've found to fix this is to heat before painting.

so my prep looks like this:
clean, clean, clean. wire-brushes, etc etc. I've never tried the hand-cleaner, as suggested above, but I'm suure I would prefer it to anything solvent based.
wipe it all down with grease and tar remover, or denatured alcohol. Or MEK, except that smells nasty.
Then heat it with whatever means you have available. I have a large oven I've put blocks or heads in. Barring that, use a shop heater, aimed directly at it (make sure your fumes are cleared first!) or maybe even go buy a harbor freight heat-gun and plan to burn it up. Get that block hot... hot... hot. Then paint it.

Now, obviously, anytime we talk about mixing heat sources and paint... please exercise caution. Don't use them simultaneously....

[majicwrench]

Oven cleaner does a wonderful job of removing paint and grime. Then take it to the car wash and hose it off. It'll look like it was just cast.
And a block really does not get that hot when running--200deg. So any good high temp paint will work.
Keith

[maytag]

Keith, is not about the heat.... Its about the outgassing that occurs as it heats. first hand experience is what has confirmed the theory for me. A high temp paint has no protection against gasses trying to get through it, that's why hi temp paint works gear on a barbecue... or on machined surfaces, but it really sucks on cast surfaces.