heads are off, bottom end staying together, so i need to (1) remove the old head gaskets without getting anything into the block, and (2) degrease and clean up the exterior of the block. so what's the best method?

KAM

 

Stuff all the areas you don't want to get gasket material in with rags or the like. As you scrape the gasket off, follow along with a Shop-Vac being careful not to suck up your rags.

 

1) do as said above
2) if you want to clean up the outside of the block really good go buy some eazy off oven cleaner and spray it down and let it sit and then wipe it down and hose it off and whalla no more grime or grit usually but be carfull because it can eat gaskets too and if your not replacing your timing gasket or front seal and oilpan gaskets you will be if your not carfull...lol....but you would have to really spray down those areas to have that happen ...

 

outside of the block can be cleaned with lots of different stuff. Easy off works good (mentioned above), many kitchen degreasers, I always thought brake parts cleaner worked the best for me. When we clean one up and paint it, we use brake parts cleaner, it leaves a decent surface to paint on too, because of the way it dries.

 

awesome - thanks...

KAM