Cleaning surfaces for new head gasket
#1
TGO Supporter
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: 700R4
Cleaning surfaces for new head gasket
I'm at the point where I need to start cleaning up before I reinstall the heads. I'm worried about getting gunk in the cylinders though. How should I clean these off? Putty knife/scraper?
Also, the piston tops are covered in carbon. Is there a way I can clean them off? Or should I not bother?
Also, the piston tops are covered in carbon. Is there a way I can clean them off? Or should I not bother?
#2
Member
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Fairfax, VA, USA
Posts: 158
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 91-Trans Am-WS6
Engine: L05 350 - ATI 9psi
Transmission: Pro-Built:Street/Strip
I cleaned mine off with a putty knife and razor blade, but that took a long time. If you have an air compressor, its worth it to get a spinning attatchment and use a low abrasion pad on it though. This made the job a lot easier on my friends 3rdgen.
#3
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Indianapolis IN
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Use a piece of plastic, or metal, or something to cover the lifter valley, and put a towel or something similar to cover the pistons. Don't worry as much about the pistons as the lifter valley. The engine will burn up anything in the cylinder as long as there isn't a lot of it. Just make sure that there is NO gunk in the lifter valley.
#4
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Key West, Florida!
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 89RSconvtZZ4TPI
Engine: ZZ4TPI
Transmission: 700R4 TRIPP TRANNY
Friend of mine had a pneumatic grinder you put Scotch brand pads on. Workes great for removing old gasket material. Just use the least abrasive one. To rough and you could see sparks.
------------------
Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI Edelbrock Intake
SLP Dual Cold Air Intake 1 5/8" Headers Semi-Siamesed Runners, IROC
suspension, alum shaft. Numerous mods.
92Z28convt5spd (stock)
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!
------------------
Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI Edelbrock Intake
SLP Dual Cold Air Intake 1 5/8" Headers Semi-Siamesed Runners, IROC
suspension, alum shaft. Numerous mods.
92Z28convt5spd (stock)
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!
#5
TGO Supporter
i use a scrapper to get the big pieces off then a die grinder with a wire brush and then brake cleaner and compressed air
------------------
ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM
------------------
ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM
#6
Just finised doing this.
1. Fill the pistons with a rag
2. Buy a file an file it down until it is perfect.
3. Remove rags from piston.
4. Rotate the piston so it is all the way down.
5. Sand the cylinder walls with 600grit sand paper
6. Whipe out the piston with a clean rag.
7. spray carb cleaner it the piston and raise and lower the piston.
8. Whipe motor oil into the pisto and raise and lower it a few times.
The surface will be clean and so will the pistons.
Good Luck
1. Fill the pistons with a rag
2. Buy a file an file it down until it is perfect.
3. Remove rags from piston.
4. Rotate the piston so it is all the way down.
5. Sand the cylinder walls with 600grit sand paper
6. Whipe out the piston with a clean rag.
7. spray carb cleaner it the piston and raise and lower the piston.
8. Whipe motor oil into the pisto and raise and lower it a few times.
The surface will be clean and so will the pistons.
Good Luck
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 916
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know if sanding the cylinder walls or the piston is such a good idea. Be hard to get all the grit out of there with a rag. IMO, find a less abrasive way to get rid of carbon deposits (e.g. - solvent). Just my $0.02.
Trending Topics
#8
A die grinder and wire cup are good for gaskets, carbon deposits, and even the rust around the coolant passages. And the wires that sling off are easier to dig out of the bores than silicon carbide sanding grit.
------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"Let the bodies hit the floor!"
Adobe Acrobat Reader
------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"Let the bodies hit the floor!"
Adobe Acrobat Reader
#9
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: PA
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 88 Firebird WS6
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42
If you have no air tools, take a piece of copper water pipe and smash the end into a scraper. This way there's NO chance of scratching/damaging the deck surface, or the bore if you accidently slip over the edge. A razor scraper works pretty good. Stuff paper towels down the bore before you start and clean the deck with mineral spirits/thinner before you mount the new gasket.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Palm Bay, FL
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 2007 Corvette Z06
Engine: LS7
Transmission: 6 speed
any worry about getting bits and pieces in water/oil passages, I just pulled the head off my turbo daytona. I realize this topic is old, but it's exactlt what i'm looking for.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ambainb
Camaros for Sale
11
04-25-2016 09:21 PM
355tpipickup
Tech / General Engine
49
08-27-2015 08:13 AM
NinjaNife
Tech / General Engine
27
08-23-2015 11:49 AM