Clean parts - just about everything - with hot, soapy water and brushes. Blow dry, then use WD-40 for short term preservation. Very short. Clean the block inside and out, including all oil galleries. Blow dry immediately and soak the thing in WD-40. Then wipe the bores and decks - pretty much any machined surface - with ATF. WD-40 is a solvent and not the best moisture proofing for storage. Get some heavy mil construction trash bags (bigger than house bags) from HD or Lowes and bag the thing good, taping up the loose end tight. Try to store somewhere where the temp does not fluctuate a lot - yes, her bedroom closet is ideal LOL. Motor oil on machined surfaces will do well also.
For assembly, clean the bores first with WD-40, then wipe with ATF until a white cloth comes out clean. ATF is a great detergent, better than WD-40. I put very little oil on the rings, just enough to lube them - put a bit on, spin them around to distribute, then position the end gaps.
Clean the main saddles, then wipe with brake cleaner and blow dry before installing the bearings. The saddles should be clean, dry and free of any debris.
Deck surfaces the same way - clean with WD-40, then follow up with ATF. When it comes time to put on the head gasket, clean the deck with brake cleaner (the good stuff that's bad for the environment, not the other crap) and blow very throughly dry. Deck should be clean and dry enough to eat off of. Make sure the bolt holes are clean with no liquid puddled in the bottom. Do not touch the deck or the deck surface of the head gasket when installing. If you like, make some guide pins out of some 5" bolts (not sure FE size - 1/2 maybe) with the heads cut off. Hold the edge of the gasket and install, then lower the head straight down. Install the bolts and torque in sequence using values based on the type of thread lube. Studs are better to use than bolts, IMHO.
1967 Falcon 4 door 351C-4V
1970 Mustang 351C-2V
http://raceabilene.com/kelly/hotrod
Owner built, owner abused.
