Well my Ls has been sitting for awhile and it has rust all over the main caps. I attempted to clean it and this is what i have.








I'm thinking I need some new main caps but i'm not entirely sure. Any suggestions/Opinions are welcome. Thanks

 

You should only really be worried about what the surfaces of the caps where the bearings sit. If there is too much rust on those surfaces, I would at least recommend an align hone from a reputable machine shop. I wouldn't really worry about the rusty discoloration of the rest of the cap, just clean it off as much as possible.

Also, if you decide to go with different caps, definitely get them align honed to the block you will be using them in.

 

TTT

 

i agree with sal on this one, clean them up the best you can and get them align bored for the correction of the rust on the base of the main caps. Alignment bore would be a good idea anyways to ensure a healthy engine.

 

Dremel and wire wheel. Leave the old bearings in so you don't scratch the bearing surface. Should take the cap rust off.
Maybe use a scothpad on the bearing surface or like 1200 grit or higher and lightly clean. Use WD40 or something as you want to keep everything lubricated so you don't scratch it.

 

Well to clean them I used a little bit of CLR. It worked really well. It's just i'm scared of the Main strength being decreased because of the rust.

 

that little rust is not going to effect the caps. Just make you clean it off good and just coat them in oil. You'll be fine.

 

Should try to get all of the rust off? Or just the one that are on the bearing contact surface?

 

the bearing surface ist he most important. I would take all the rust off it were mine.