yeah, turn it over and get as much of the cylinder as possible and wipe as much crap out as you can within reason (run the piston to TDC and blow out the rings with an air hose)

the oil in the pan is fine.

Would you use a scotch brite pad on the cyl walls? I've got some of the fine tooth grey ones from the body shop? There is some surface rust on some of them I probably need to remove. Just don't want to damage anything.

NO! Excuse me, PLEASE no

Wipe them down as is...then turn it, wipe down, turn it...wipe down...I would take a wiz wheel and get all that crap off first, then clean it with brake parts cleaner, THEN wipe all the surfaces down with oil...

Scotch brite would definitely get you a no-go at that lane...

Pb blaster or wd40 in the cylinder walls and run the piston up and down a couple times will take care of the surface rust in the holes... without ruining them if in fact is is just surface rust... if there is any pitting you will need either a hone or to have it bored.

I'm getting there, just a slow learner :sigh:

Thanks, like a said rookie when it comes to this stuff. I've been reading up on it as much as I can.

Thanks sir, appreciate it.

Wiz wheel. Is that one of the nylon wheels with the fingers?

Everyone has to start somewhere. Just pack up the short block nicely and when you're ready to build it, start a new thread and plenty of people will chime in with advice on where to go from there

No on the scotch bright, yes on the scotch pad, forgot the name of them, I'll upload a picx