Cleaning up engine while its out

Hi, Nice find! If the Motors not coming apart- Blocks not being Boiled, the best way is elbow grease... If you have Grime, Grease, Oil, GUNK Spray Foam world good, there. Then, beg, borrow, or steal a 4” angle Grinder with a Wire Wheel and slowly take the Rust off the Block, Mask off any open areas on your Motor securely- don’t want that IN your Motor, for the Fuel Rails- use an SOS pad & some Water, or Simple Green, do the same on your Valve Covers.
If you had access to a Sandblaster, you can use some softer particles to do the Valve Covers, glass bead on the Block. Be sure to use a High Temp Primer on your Block before the Engine Paint, it really looks better & lasts longer.
Grab some medium & Light abrasive 3M pads to “Grain” your Valve Covers (if you plan on keeping them without Paint) and Spray a High Temp. clearcoat over them to halt further Corrosion.
If you want to Paint them they make a nice “Wrinkle” finish Paint, Black-Blue & Red.
Good luck!

Sounds like You’re looking for pristine, and you should...Sand any of the Brackets, just be sure you Wire Wheel or Brush/ Sand off the Rust, featheredge the rest of previously Painted surfaces with light Sandpaper into where you delved deeper for a smooth transition or you will clearly see the outline- tradename “Bullseye”. Run your flat Hand & Fingers across lightly to verify your Sanding has Feathered/tapered the layers out enough.
Areas that are smooth you need only knock off the shine for good topcoat adhesion, miss a spot, and it will be peeling, eventually. Brackets are ok with a med-light (240Grit equivalent) Schotchbrite Pad, or paper. The Motor being out is a Prime-time to Spray your Engine Compartment, too.
Same Methods used. Higher emphasis on smoothing out the surface. Use a Tack Cloth & mask off as needed. Spraying results with Bomb Cans will look great, providing it’s done right & the Substrate was prepared correctly.. Give adequate time between Coats...Spray Topcoat in 4 Coats, then 2-3 Clear, starting with a very light coverage “Dust” Coat, then Coverage, then Lay it on, two solid Coats. Lay it on, You can wetsand the Clear or Color (if needed). You want that area to look great- how many times will you be popping your Hood? MANY!!lol.
Rust preventative Tip, use Zinc Chromate on ANY bare METAL (Not Aluminum) prior to Primer. Don’t leave anything in Primer, unpainted & exposed outside, Primer is like a Sponge and will absorb Water. Spray An Epoxy (Non Sandable) Primer, or a Paint Sealer. Yes, Before & After Pics would be very Cool to Post...
Hope that helps! Cheers!!