MitchB

Time to start putting everything back together...
Since the exhaust manifold was toast - it literally fell apart - I'm replacing the HG. One of them fancy Cometic ones. From the looks of the intake tracks and squish area it looks as if the PO may have had a valve job done recently. Either way, someone must have used super glue to seal the HG and cam tower gasket.
Is there a preferred method of cleaning that crap off?
I did a search - not much help.
Right now I'm using a 3M Scotchbrite pad and gasoline - this to prevent scratching the sealing surface. It's working, but it's a lot of work. There's got to be a better way.
Yes, I know shaving/maching the head would work, but I don't have a machine shop I trust. I believe machining should be done only when/if really needed...
Help !

daniel951

there was small pieces of gasket that was stuck to the camshaft which i just used a razor blade to take it off. then i got a wire brush and cleaned everything off. After everything i put copper spray for the headgasket and so far no Problems.

Ski

Mitch, there are some new pads that look like rubber tentacles on them. They look harmless but when you put that thing in a die grinder, man they can take some gasket material off quick. I'm sorry I don't have the name for them but you should be able to find them at any automotive high end paint store; very similar in style to Scotchbrite pad but underneath they look rubber ****. You still making the trip this weekend?

macnewma

http://thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/TTW296.html

3M Roloc bristle discs are what you need. I haven't used them myself, but that is what Ski is talking about. I have heard they work very well and they are gentle.

Max

Ski

Thanks for the link Max; yes that's what I was talking about. Work great and yes, they are gentle to the aluminum.

MitchB

Thx for the input guys - just what I was hoping for.
I looked for the Roloc, but no luck. I went ahead and finished the cylinder side by hand with the scotchbrite. Ugh! Everything else I tried left tiny scratches and I do not want leaks. The rest of the head I cleanened with a small wire brush on a hand drill. It works very well and actually left no scratches either. I just wasn't quite as worried abt the rest due to the use of softer gaskets and sealer. BTW I've had excellent luck with a product called Hi-Tack, by Permatex, I think. It's great for areas like the cam tower gasket...
Another question - how do you clean the deck surfaces on the block, with the engine in the car w/o getting crud into every part of the motor?

Ski, I was hoping for last weekend actually. The 930 needs an inspection. I can't get it done until I get the W/S replaced (little crack is now a big crack) and it has to be ordered... Wasn't Homecoming last Fri?

Laust Pedersen

I found a “Gasket Remover” spray can at the local parts store (Kragen). It worked quite well for me.

Ski

Mitch, homecoming was last Friday night. My 5yo carried the football during the ceremony. Maybe some other time for a road trip.

shortyboy

well,just me again,resurecting an old thread(im not the type to start a new thread).whats the best way to clean the head and black surfaces?BUT with the block still in the car?i figure it'd be kinda scary to use a scrapper or sanding disc and have all the particles falling into the block.TIA

Tom M'Guinn

Nothing worse than a machine shop you can't trust, but once you find a good shop, I would not hesitate to have the sealing surface machined flat and clean. If the head is straight, you can get a fresh new sealing surface without taking off hardly any material/thickness.

hosrom_951

I found a razor blade (recommended by Chris White), it is the type used by painters.

It is a very fine blade, it is actually made for removing paint spills from glass. It worked just fine removing the gasket materail from the camshaft housing mating surfaces.