I have tried Vinegar with varying degrees of success. Maybe I was not using it correctly as I was not that impressed with the results.

Interesting. I didn't do anything special. Highest acidity I could get my hands on and fill the tank. Slosh it around real well, let it sit. Empty and repeat until clean then rinse. When I say the tank was rusty, I've never seen one as bad as that one was.
Glad your block ended up coming out nice regardless of the process!

I just wish the deck with the stampings had been in better shape but I guess I will take it over not having it at all.

Exactly. That's the best way to look at it. I know a lot of guys wish they had that for a problem.

Did the shot blasting have any effect on the broach marks? If you had to do it over again would you have still covered the front pad?

Thanks,
Marty

Hawkeye where do you find the higher acidity vinegar? Have you used just the food store vinegar?

feed stores carry higher acidity..

grainger has 30%

walmart, tractor supply, amazon target etc list it as high acid, but like 10%

this place has it at 30%
https://www.factorydirectvinegar.com...ant=1846487555

i use it alot to do bolts and hardware in my tumbler with the green pyramid product

95% vinegar..5% dawn dish soap..+/-......(specifically dawn) and it does amazing things

Thank you sir

Thank you for the vinegar information.