Cleaning Crate Engine For Paint?

[saxart]

I have a crate engine I'm going to be painting soon. The plan is to clean it, scuff it, re-clean it, then paint it.

What is the best way to do this without getting water in the engine? My first thought is to degrease it with a water-based cleaner and a hose, but hings move so slow around here I'm deathly afraid of getting even small amounts of water inside the engine and by the time I fire it up the engine it will rust internally.

The other option is just using lots of carb cleaner...

Thoughts?