Cleaning engine for paint

Im going to paint my engine,its unpainted,whats the best way to get it clean for paint without sandblasting?Whats the best engine paint to use?

Engine degreaser and the car wash.

If you can handle the fumes, try a can of brake cleaner and a fine wire brush.

It'll amaze you.

Funny i saw this, i just did mine today. Best thing to clean a nasty greasy engine with is....believe it or not Easy Off oven cleaner. Don't get the fume free stuff....it aint worth a crap. Just spray it on and really soak the heck out of it, wait about 20 mins...then rinse off. This stuff will turn your aluminum a dark gray and leaves some oxidation behind. I go back over the large areas with some soapy water and a red scotchbrite..just to loosen up the oxidation a little.

The easy off kind of etches the aluminum and makes the paint stick like crazy. Really heavy stuff might need a brush taken too, but this stuff pretty much takes it all off without any scrubbing.