Is overspray on cylinder head ok?

Hey J.B.,

I was following your post about overspray on the engine. I tried not to get too caught up in the energy everyone was hammering you about. By the 8th post I assume you may believe your engine is junk.

I’m not sure of your skill level so I will assume you have some engine intelligence.
I am not trying to say you’re not highly skilled. I do not know you at all.

Any how. If you are worried about the over spray… it is not the best practice but will not kill your new engine. Run this engine for a bit and then change the oil. “A bit” meaning like 2-300 miles. Dries paint that becomes oil soaked will get caught by the filter and flush out pretty quickly. Anything else is stuck for good. Professional race Engines are painted inside on purpose to allow oil to drain quicker back to the pan. So dried oil sticks. Loose paint will float. I like the idea of wiping down with a solvent to catch and clean up any loose stuff.

If you are really concerned then find a good engine machine shop in your area and go talk to them. They would possibly take your engine in and take it apart to the level you feel you need reassuring on. Then assemble it with new gaskets if needed, and let you know where you actually stand. It may cost you a few hundred bucks but at least you know positive if the engine is worth what it was said to be. If you are well tested in rebuilding an engine then I suggest you take it apart yourself and double check a few items like the crank and pistons top and cylinder bores.
Trust me when I say… “you will know.”
Good luck and I wish you well.
Joe. Syleng1