Okay, aluminum 6.2 block. i am putting in johnson 2110r lifters, headers, and f-35 TSP cam with pac .660 springs

i took the heads off to take a look at the cylinder walls and pistons. (see photo to see how they look). i am about to ask many questions to please bear with me.

How do the cylinder walls look ? should i be worried ?

unfortunately it looks like a valve knicked the top of the piston. Can i still use this piston ? why does this happen ? I have heard this can happen due to VVT but can anybody confirm ? engine has vvt and afm.

After spraying top of piston with brake cleaner and wiping with blue shop towels, carbon is still stuck on there. Is it important to get it off ?
Also the top of the pistons seem to have small lint on them(assuming from the towels), do i use a tac cloth to get that out ?

How do i clean the block head gasket surface ? i’ve seen so many conflicting statements about using red scotchbrite or green roloc bristle disc or a razor blade.

Lastly, the rest of my engine parts will come in within a few weeks. with one side of the heads being off, how do i properly store it to where rust will not form and contaminants won’t go into the engine. same with storing the heads ?


valve hit piston

 

Cylinder walls looks just fine, other than being really dirty from the cleaning you did. The carbon on the pistons is just fine, you can wire wheel them if you want but honestly it's just fine. They will get cleaned by just running the engine with new fuel and some seafoam in the gas tank.

That piston with the valve kiss should be just fine, I've seen way worse get re-used that's for sure. If it's got a little bit of a edge to it, just knock it down with a file or something.

Clean the block surface and underside of the cylinder heads with the 3M bristle discs, the yellow ones. They won't hurt the aluminum.

http://www.aircraftspruce.eu/images/...0/09-01519.jpg

Spray the block down with some penetrant spray, WD40 or whatever to give it a coating and wrap the block in a garbage bag, same with the cylinder heads if you don't want them to get dirty.

 

if you are worried about the cylinder wall you can rung a hone on them. If your fingernail doesn’t catch on the cylinder wall marks you should be fine with a quick hone to get them clean again

 

you didnt say how many miles were on it?

im a fan of pullin the engine, have it cleaned and honed
clean the pistons and install new rings, gap them to your future turbo build and youll be set

 

Those bores NEED a ball hone. fresh cross hatch, new rings, LS engine loves you LONG Time, baby.