Today i have cleaned the block as best i can.I have degreased it and gone over it with a wire brush attachment on my drill.I'm down to the cast iron.Please see pics titled (Degreasing the block). All i need to do now is replace the core plugs in the block, and then fit the pistons back in with the new piston rings. Then i can spray the engine block black with smoothrite, (3 coats) it's a great paint for cast iron. Also it has a high tolerence to heat.