MC block

[Paul Koski]

I am looking at possible purchase of a disassembled MC crawler and the engine block has surface rust on the top of the block as well as on the cylinder walls.
My question is: What is the best way to remove the rust without damaging the block? Block is not pitted, just heavy surface rust. How should I check the block surface for flatness? Since there is no water pump on this engine is there a problem with the internal parts of the block? ie. cleaning the crud out?
As long as I am at it. Would plasti gage be good enough to check the crank journal or should I find a micrometer to check for wear and roundness?

Thanks in advance.

[Lavoy]

Take the engine to a machine shop, have it cooked, magnafluxed and shot peened. The plane the block, and you know you are in good shape. Also mic the bores, they are normally out by .020 or more.
Lavoy

[soffiler]

...
As long as I am at it. Would plasti gage be good enough to check the crank journal or should I find a micrometer to check for wear and roundness?

Thanks in advance.

If you are trying to decide if your crank needs to be reground, yes, you need a micrometer. One that reads to 0.0001". The Plastigage will only tell you what the bearing clearance is, in the spot that you use it.

[DukeofDeere]

If there are any groves on the crank it is time to grind.

Duke