cleaning blocks during headgasket install, tips?

[jt15833]

anyone know of good ways to clean the block and get it ready for a stock hg install? i was thinking some really fine steel wool or something but I dont want to mess it up. thank you!

[C - ROD]

a die grinder with an aluminum surface prep pad or aluminum gasket remover pad works like a pro

[garagelu]

dont use steel wool....you will end up getting a bunch of bits of metal into the cylinder. And i also wouldnt use anything that turns high rpm like a dremel or die grinder because you will end up taking more material off in some places and will make the surface uneven.

And long as the deck surface is flat and even(check it with a straight edge) it should seal fine. Just use a razor or some kind of scraper and get ALL of the old gasket material off. And since you will already have your head off go ahead and take it to a machine shop to get it decked. Its really cheap and worth it.

[C - ROD]

that is why i said use a pad made fpr aluminum, 3M makes one for removing gasket material from aluminum parts, & it doesnt remove any part of the head/block, & doesnt cause it to get uneven, using a raxor though u could chace gouging into the head, so be carful if u use that, but yes i would get it decked at the machine shop- about $100 & will be well worth it

[IanS]

yah, I use the 3M pads at work all the time, your just seting yourself up for failure if you use a razor blade

[jt15833]

where do you get the 3m pad? auto parts stores like pep boys or advance?

thanks!

[C - ROD]

we get the 3M pads thru NAPA at my work

[jt15833]

is this it? got it from pep boys, says its a polishing pad. the guy there said iron will be ok but i want a second opinion. i may go to napa if this isnt it.

http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5610343

[C - ROD]

that is close, thats not for aluminum tho, go to NAPA & i think they are called #3m brisstle discs, they are white, made for aluminum & have a bunch of brisstle/ fingers/ brushes type things to remove the gasket material, they screw in & have the same mounting pad as the other disc u have - i found a pic of one on google

[IanS]

Ive used both.

[C - ROD]

yeah but with the green one, u risk taking off some of the material of ur gasket surfacethe white ones are designe espescially for cleaning gaskets from aluminum