I am swapping a new Edelbrock Performer TBI Manifold on to my L03 and am having one heck of a time preparing the intake surface of the heads for reinstallation. I have been using the permatex gasket remover and a stiff putty scraper to get all the gasket off. There were and are still, a few spots that are really baked on. I have been spraying, scraping, and wiping for two days now! (probably about 3-4 hours a day). To add to it, there is a ton of grease left on even after I scrape off the gasket. What is your recommendation to get this freakin part finished? I am now using Engine Brite Degreaser to try and get all the grease off to bare metal. Help me out!

 

i use a cup wire brush in a die grinder, scotch brite disk work good too in a die grinder. i've used emory before and a file wrapped in emory.

 

hold a absorbent rag (a old terrycloth towel works well) under the lip of the head, so it doesnt drip in the valley.
then spray some brake cleaner or carb cleaner on the spots and rub them with another rag.

it'll all come up in a couple mins.

 

btw, the scotch brite disc ede suggested works great.

but im assuming you're doing this at home.


also... you're suppost to clean the grease/oil slime off the area BEFORE you but the gasket release on it....

 

This is the same thing I do. Make sure you plug your ports and cover your lifter valley though. Those wire brushes break off and tiny little hairs of metal can get into your motor. I would wear sleeves as well because everythime I use one I always pull those little buggers out of my skin for the next few days.

 

Thanks, I think I am just being a perfectionist...I think I am finished prepping...I took a few pics with the digital cam and I'll post them once I get them on the computer so you guys can let me know if its good enough.

 

OK guys, tell me if I have done enough scraping, sanding, spraying, and wiping to these intake runners. If you look closely you can still see some baked on grease areas, but the surface feels pretty flat. My dad says I'm being a perfectionist, but I just want to do it right the first time!

 

This is the whole engine, but you can't really see much in this one, but the other intake runner looks pretty much the same as the one in the pic above...can't wait to get my chrome bowtie valve covers on!

 

Looks great to me. I prefer a wheel like standard abrasives sells. Just makes things a lot easier.

 

Looks great to me. I usually use either a razor scraper for soft gaskets, or if it's really baked on I'll use a wire wheel. Then to finish it up I'll go over it lightly with 120 grit paper and then use laquir thinner or acetone to remove any oils or grit. Like the other guys said, make sure to use rags to plug up all the holes and the valley as you go. All that crap doesn't agree with the rings and bearings very well

 

I have done a few intake swaps and I have never gotten my head surface that clean. I guess it doesn't hurt though.

 

that looks great.

as long as its smooth and clean, thats what counts.

the darker areas are basicly "stained" that way... short of milling the head, thats not coming out... dont worry about it

 

heck yeah that looks good...when i do my intake swap on my truck im gonna give you a call...lol...