G'day DaButcher.
Sandblasting!!!If you really feel you need to sandblast the engine I would completely strip it naked ,this is a lot of work and I tend to think that sandblasting no matter how much you clean the engine afterwards there is always the possibility that some of the Blasting material is left hidden in some corner with the potential to destroy the work you are about to do,it is like the garnet or whatever is used is Blasted INTO the cast and no matter what you do there is still some left behind like if after blasting and cleaning get a wire brush and give the engine a good going over and you will find there is still abrasive coming out.
My choice would be to use chemicals to strip the block naked even take it to an engine shop and have the whole thing cleaned in a Robowash, this would be my preference rather than risk the sandblasting approach .
Engine Stand!!.
If you have the opportunity to borrow say four or five wooden pallets ,stack them where you are going to work on the engine and get a piece of half inch plywood and make a table,Pallet top and you have a good solid work table Dont forget to set the table up under a beam then you can use a chain block to lift and turn the engine as required.
Once the block has been cleaned you can then look at rebuilding remove all cylinder head studs making sure you record what position they were in ,they are all different lengths, then set the engine block upside down ,install the crankshaft first ,then all the timing gears making sure the timing marks match up,when you have completely installed the crankshaft oil pump and timing gears turn the engine right way up using 4x2 timber across the bottom of the block to steady it and keep it level and stable.
Install the new liners making sure the cylinder bores are clean and free of nicks etc I usually put the liners in the freezer for an hour and before I fit them to the block coat the surface with brake fluid just enough to lubricate the block Bores then one at a time remove the liner from the freezer wrap it in a cloth to keep it cool and with a block of 3/4" thick teflon and a four pound hammer at the ready install the liner as far as you can by hand be as quick as you can but carefull then lay the teflon block flat on the top of the liner tap it in with the hammer try not to let the hammer Bounce ,hold it short like just behind the head so it is not so much a blow but a push dont stop till it is all the way in otherwise the liner will get bogged and it wont move ,when all liners are in turn the engine on its right hand side and using some short pieces of timber to LEVEL the block then you are ready to install the piston ,rod assemblies be careful Take your time .
Thats all for now.
Regards.
Hutch.