mtnman82

When I pulled the head, the head stud pockets on the exhaust side filled up with oil. How do you guys clean this out? I can get a paper towel in there a little ways, but am barely touching the oil in there...

mtnman82

Feel a little lame for posting this now - but what i did was cut the paper towel(s) (I'm using the blue mechanics paper towels) such that I could fold it over once and then wrap around the stud not quite once. Then paper towel fit down in there nicely to soak up the oil.

zerMATT951

Spray a little carb or brake cleaner in there too, just to thin it a bit... should soak right up in the towel, and whatever residue is left will evaporate.

968 GUY

Maybe a mitivac could get most out.

jerome951

Shoot a blast of air down there to force the oil out. Be sure to wrap a rag WELL around the opening or the oil spray will shoot out onto your white garage wall (ask me how I know)...

Tom M'Guinn

Get out your shop vac. Duct tape a foot of small rubber vaccum hose to the end of it, so it's sealed around the hose. Make sure it's small enough to fit in there. Then spray some brake cleaner in there, wait, and suck it out with the rubber hose/vacuum. Do that several times per hole to get it nice and clean. Finish with a little brake cleaner and a blast of compressed air (covering with a rag to avoid splattering everywhere). Not a stupid question at all -- took me a long time to get this just right and it's even more important when replacing studs...

mtnman82

Thanks Tom, I don't feel quite as lame now. The paper towels seem to be doing a good job at soaking up the oil. I've also washed out with carb cleaner. Since it looks like I'll have some time now, I might give the shop vac procedure a try - great idea!