Block prep for new headgasket
 

Hey all...

Went to clean up my block (the deck) in preparation for reassembly (full rebuild) and noticed some minor pitting on the cylinder tops where the head gasket seats. This is outboard from the seating area of the removed head gasket and is minor enough to not be felt with the 'fingernail' test. The cylinder head studs have been removed for installation of raceware fasteners.

My question is....should I be concerned with this and, if so, what is the proper method for cleaning this up? Can a few mills be shaved from the block as long as the 'thick' head gasket is used (now would be the time with the studs removed)? What is a good final cleaner to prepare this surface?


I would appreciate any info.....

I just did a rebuild job on my 951 with a pro friend of mine from Germany. All we did to clean up the surface was to lightly rub with a bit of wet/dry sandpaper (glasspaper??).... But then all that really did was to remove any traces of the old gasket, and to give the gasket a reasonable seating.
Depending on how bad your pitting is, maybe this is an approach.

Mike

You can machine the head. How much? I don't know. Garrity might be the person to ask.

Some 1000 grit sand paper will be just fine.