I got my new Iron Eagles today. They are new/never mounted and assembled, but they were stored in humidity and are covered in surface rust. the only things without rust are the valves and springs. They are iron.
Short of having them shot peened, how can I clean them up?

A wet oily rag will actually wipe off some rust. Or some cleanser, 409 or Simple Green and a stiff brush will shine them up. Hate to blast heads, hard to get all the stuff out of the ports etc.

i'd sugguest a rotary wire wheel in a die grinder. of course,, dissassembled. wash well afterwards. how are the decks? any rust there? maybe lap the valves while you're there also.

these die grinder end brushes work wonders. can get them at napa or car quest. and usually cheaper too. here's links for a pic.

http://www.goodson.com/store/template/product_detail.php?IID=454&SID=c2f2a466e5e4af49bcfeb50013ef9d59
http://www.goodson.com/store/template/product_detail.php?IID=461&SID=c2f2a466e5e4af49bcfeb50013ef9d59

if not,, maybe give it up to the machine shop to do the diss. and clean/glass bead blasted. if you don't have a spring compressor,, that might be easier for you.

An oily rag is okay for the face that bolts to the block. For that matter a steel brillo pad could clean the machined surface off. If its light speckled surface rust on the actual rough casting facing out I assume they aren't painted. If they aren't painted don't use anything oily to wipe the actual rough casting or forget painting them until you tear them down and hot tank them. If its light on the rough cast I'd just paint over that. If its really heavy rust...where the heck did you buy them???

I do agree avoid peening or blasting them.

yeah, where did ya get em?

Coil cleaning acid eliminates rust but is pretty nasty stuff. If it's reasonably light then "CLR" will do the trick.
http://www.amazon.com/JELMAR-128OZ-CLR-Cleaner/dp/B000AX8F0Y

Use it full strength then rinse off with clean water (hot if possible) and blow dry with compressed air. Immediately WD-40 any machined (and internal) surfaces and paint any exteral surfaces.

Got em on evilbay.
They are brand new, but never mounted. you can't see the rust in the pics due to the lighting.

I am thinking of using a high speed pad on the machined surfaces. Something non-metallic like for stripping paint.

Then on the rough surfaces, use full strength clr in a bucket with a wire brush.

Would I have to dissassemble the heads first?
What do I coat them with when I am finished for rust prevention? I want to keep them cast color.

wire wheel acid would work,you can get that from any car detailer.

Yes you should disassemble them first

Take them to a machine Shop and put in vat. Should clean right up.

Brake cleaner will take off surface rust from parts like that. I've done it many times.

thanks guys. used a combination of things and it worked.