Engine clean up before re-build - advice

[Mr. Magoo]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a project I am about to embark on? I have a 3 Litre straight 6 Lagonda engine from 1930. It is in its component parts and apart from some stitching to the engine block it looks complete but in need of a good de-grease and polish.

I would like to bring it back to assembly quality and I wondered if there is some product/tools you could recommend. It is a mix of materials (Aluminium, steel etc)

[v8250]

Have you rebuilt an engine before?

When you mention it's in component parts, does that include crank, shells, conrods, pistons and valve train? Or, is the block pre-built and of known quality?

[davepen]

Mr. Magoo said:

...apart from some stitching to the engine block...

So I assume this is a spare, not the one in the car. I'd see if you can (low) pressure test it first, there may be a reason it's under the bench.

You may also want a word with someone like Paul Rogers at https://www.facebook.com/paulrogersengineering

Paul is sometimes at VSCC Brooklands, which is this Sunday.

[Mr. Magoo]

don't laugh but the last time I stripped and put an engine back together it was a flat four from a Beetle about 20 years ago.

I now find myself on the eve of constructing my new man shed and looking for my first project. The engine I have is exact match of the 3 Litre I have in my car. All components appear to be present. I bought it from an elderly Lagonda specialist in the north east who had had it sitting in his garage for years awaiting the repair of the cracked waterjacket but he never got round to it. The Crank has been reground.

I bought it on his word that it was complete and initial inspection suggests it is including flywheel and clutch plates. But there is a lot of superficial 'cleaning' to garner a better evaluation but there appears to be no heavily weather or bent components.

As I am not a recognised specialist then I think I will leave the assembly to someone else so there is some provenance there.