Rate my shortblock

I've had good luck cleaning the carbon off the ridge with a 4" wire wheel on a drill.... It will take off any carbon or rust in the cylinders if the engine has been sitting open outside for a while...

If the ridge is there and metal from cylinder wear, then you need a ridge reamer...

I wasn't trying to suggest that he use a pocket knife to clean all the ridges. Just that he try it to see if it could be removed in one small spot.