bck

I purchased 2 new Chevy blocks that were shipped from out of state. I've had them for a few weeks but just opened them up to get ready to take them to builder. I found all the machined surfaces to be rusty. Decks, main journals, timing cover area, bell housing area, cylinder walls etc. Some of it is very light and cleans up easy, but there are also areas where a Scotch Brite pad will not remove it and some areas where it looks like the metal was been damaged from it. The area around the main journals is bad as is the rails for the intake. Not being an engine builder I don't know how serious this is. My builder lives a few hours away and I am not able to get there right away. Any thoughts on this? How common is this ? Should I be pissed? Best way to clean it up and preserve till I get them to a pro? Should I get them somewhere asap, even if it's not the place I was going to have build them ? Will hot tanking remove this? I have not talked to the seller yet as I am not sure of how much of a problem this is. I won't mention names yet, but if think you are the seller and you are aware of the problem, now would be the time for a PM.

bck

first pic shows rust left on deck area after going over with rag and WD40. Second, looking through mains also sprayed and wiped. Third is rust in cylinders, right deck has been gone over with scotch brite. What is that line or groove on the right deck, above the cylinders? It is present on both engines.

bck

This was rubbed with rag and WD40

bck

the deck was gone over with scotch brite, there is still some rust that it wouldn't take off. Notice cylinder, this is after spraying and rubbing with soft cloth.

bck

If this is a problem I am leaning toward the seller. I don't know what type of truck it was shipped in but I think it's safe to assume it was enclosed. The pallet they were on was fully enclosed with plywood and looks to have been pretty moisture resistant. The wharehouse where they were recieved is owned by a personal friend of mine who knew they shouldn't get wet. The 2 times I went to check on them, they were always well protected in the dry wharehouse, still in original crate.

FOUNTAINATLAST

Bare metal, machined metal will tend to develop rust when humidity is present. Hot tanking the blocks should clean them up, hard to tell from the pictures some does look pretty bad. Have a builder look them over for you to determine the condition. Its possible the seller had them sitting packaged up and was unaware or the rust build-up???...

bck

I would be guessing, I really have no idea how they were stored. I know they both were not on the one big pallet prior to shipping.

vandeano

Im no expert by far, but I think your ok. After I had my block hot tank,it only took a day for rust to start to show up after it was exposed to moisture. Just make sure you get it all clean up prior to assembly. Im sure there are some pros on here that can tell if its ok or not. In the meantime just spray down w/ WD40 and keep them covered up. I used a large GLAD trash bag to put mine in.