well i found out the hardway about the surface discs from 3m i used the abbrasive pad and well 2K miles later after doin a headgasket job ( went back to stock engine) my lower end went.

so i want to know from you guys what the best way to prep a head gasket area is.

i thought about the new 3m plastic bristle discs but even says in the gm tsb its a no.

so specifiacally any gakset removers chemical wise? plastic or metal blade scrapers what kind matco? snap on? flat.

please everyone chime in so i can find the best way which will work for me



heres the tsb for those interested:

Bulletin No.: 00-06-01-012B

Date: January 18, 2006

INFORMATION

Subject:
Use of "Surface Conditioning Disks"

Models:
2007 and Prior Passenger Cars and Trucks
2003-2007 HUMMER H2
2006-2007 HUMMER H3

Supercede:

This bulletin is being revised to include through the 2007 model year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-06-01-012A (Section 06 - Engine).

The Use of "Surface Conditioning Disks"

When cleaning engine gasket sealing surfaces, and/or cleaning parts from an engine which are to be reused; surface conditioning disks (typically constructed of woven fiber or molded bristles) which contain abrasives, such as a high amount of Aluminum Oxide, are NOT recommended.

The use of such surface conditioning discs dislodges Aluminum Oxide (from the disk) and metal particles, which can lead to premature engine bearing failure. The presence of Aluminum Oxide in engine oil has been shown to cause premature engine bearing failure. In some cases, this failure occurs in as little as 1,000 miles (2,200 km) or less after the repair has been made.

Surface conditioning discs may grind the component material and imbed it into the disc. This can result when more aggressive grinding of the gasket surface takes place.

Note: Do not use abrasive pad/bristle devices to clean the gasket surfaces of engine components. Abrasive pads should not be used for the following reasons:

^ Abrasive pads will produce fine grit that the oil filter will not be able to remove from the oil. THIS GRIT IS ABRASIVE AND HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. Abrasive pads can easily remove enough material to round cylinder head surfaces. This has been known to affect the gasket's ability to seal, especially in the narrow seal areas between the combustion chambers and coolant jackets.

^ Abrasive pads can also remove enough metal to affect cylinder head, block, oil pan rail, and intake manifold runner flatness, which can cause coolant and oil leaks. It takes about 15 seconds to remove 0.203 mm (0.008 in) of metal with an abrasive pad.


Recommended Cleaning Procedure

General Motors recommends the use of a razor blade or plastic gasket scraper to clean the gasket surface on engine components that are to be reused. When cleaning gasket surfaces, please note the following:

^ When using a razor blade type gasket scraper, use a new razor blade for each cylinder head and corresponding block surface. Hold the blade as parallel to the gasket surface as possible. This will ensure that the razor blade does not gouge or scratch the gasket surfaces.


Do not gouge or scrape the combustion chamber surfaces.

^ Do not gouge or scratch any engine-sealing surface during the cleaning process.

Important: The appearance of the gasket surface is not critical - the feel is. There will be indentations from the gasket left in the cylinder head after all the gasket material is removed. The new gasket will fill these small indentations when it is installed.

 

Bummer about your engine. I use a common flat blade and lacquer thinner.

 

^ what he said.

I usually use gas or carb cleaner and a scraper to clean off gaskets.

 

Razor blade scraper, thinner or trichloroethylene (if you can still get it where you are located), and a rotary wire cup brush in a die grinder for those really stubborn places.

 

I use a flat blade scraper. To get the really fine stuff I use the brown 3M paint and rust stripper on my drill. Never had any sealing problems.

 

I use a knotted wire brush in an angle grinder. Just vacuum or wipe the area clean, getting bits of sand in the oiling holes is bad news no matter what.
We use surface prep discs at work for large industrial spark ignited engines all the time. I think Waukesha and Caterpillar both recommend those.