Ok, got the cylinder block back and painted and the liners installed. i shipped the part out last friday, and had it back at my shop wednesday. now that's quick turn around!
it had a powdery film on it, so i ran it through the parts washer. when it came out, the entire surface was darker than bare aluminum. you could tell that the sealer had really soaked into the aluminum, which porous to begin with even with a well cast surface. just waiting for cometic to get my gasket to me and it's back together!