(In my case)
The engine block had been at the rebuilders and had thus been through his big industrial dishwasher. I like the U-POL slow degreaser which helps get muck out of the crevices of the casting. I then used brake cleaner to blast out the rest of the crud. After that (phew!) I used Eastwoods "Pre" painting degreaser which seems to be pretty much magic at helping paint to stick to surfaces.
I've done several engine blocks in this way and they have all (touch wood) lasted - the HMG engine enamel seems like it is a good product I hope it lasts as well as the POR-15 engine paints I've been using up until now.
As for the correct colour - this is the correct colour for diesel engines (I'm not sure about petrol engines of the same era - sorry)
The engine block had been at the rebuilders and had thus been through his big industrial dishwasher. I like the U-POL slow degreaser which helps get muck out of the crevices of the casting. I then used brake cleaner to blast out the rest of the crud. After that (phew!) I used Eastwoods "Pre" painting degreaser which seems to be pretty much magic at helping paint to stick to surfaces.
I've done several engine blocks in this way and they have all (touch wood) lasted - the HMG engine enamel seems like it is a good product I hope it lasts as well as the POR-15 engine paints I've been using up until now.
As for the correct colour - this is the correct colour for diesel engines (I'm not sure about petrol engines of the same era - sorry)