76 KZ900 project

I got my 76 KZ900 home and have been inventorying everything I am gonna need for it. The list is long but doable. My first of many questions is about cleaning the engine. It is supposed to be a good engine with good compression and the tranny is supposed to be good. They carbs are off of it right now. I want to go on and remove the engine because I am going to strip it to the bare frame and paint or powder coat the frame and swingarm. I want to clean the engine up. What is the best way to clean up a grungy complete engine. I was thinking about sealing off the intake and exhaust holes and using a cleaner of some kind and a brush then rinse it off. Will the soda blaster that is listed in the tools section clean off the weathered aluminum so I can start polishing it up. I am not going for a mirror finish just clean and shiny. Any suggestions on how to acomplish this? I dont want to get any water inside the engine while cleaning it up. Also if I drain the oil out of it would it hurt to turn the engine upside down to clean the bottom up. I will post some pics soon.

If u still have the motor in, spray the whole thing with degreaser, i just use Simple green. then pressure wash it or just the hose.
u can turn the motor upside down without harm.
I would do a compression test and leakdown test yourself,before u do anything.
Its "supposed" to have this or that, wont be very comforting latter, if it doesnt work right.
Check EVERYTHING you can before u take anything apart.
All of the electrical, and get it running 1st. then u can get a plan together.
Hope this helps
Mark
PS. pic's please.