head gasket residue on block

[bigddutchman]

i am replacing a head gasket on a '37 flathead. what is the best material and method for removing gasket residue remaining on the block - noting that i am working around 21 bolts and raised valves.

[Mark Slight]

What kind of residue? Sealer, gasket material, or is it part of a metal gasket?

Heavy duty gasket material scrapers are best that you can get from Snap-On or Mac. Some hardware stores have them, long shaft works better when cylinder head studs have not been removed. Acetone is good for removing left over goo, I would suggest wearing gloves.

Mark

[ford1]

if your heads and block are perfectly straight dont use composition gaskets, they cause the problems your having, use copper, i know this doesnt help with your current problem, but it will prevent it from happing again

[bigddutchman]

the residue is sealer. thanks, i'll try acetone.

[Mike51Merc]

Single edge razor blades.

[Newc]

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Just a note: If the engine is still together, I use plumbers putty to seal the piston -bore and keep the rings clean.
The putty comes out easily later. Newc

[FRANK PKNY]

single edge blade an lots of elbow work. I use duct tape to keep the pistons from getting to dirty and after an air hoseing. Frank

[Rich B.]

Ro-Loc makes these nylon mesh disk's that twist on just the
sanding disk's. These things will really spoil you! They make gasket removal a piece of cake. I'm always fighting surface rust on my
lathe, and mill no matter how much I oil them. These spiff it up in minutes.

I'm sure if you tried hard enough you could remove some metal, but
I have no problem with them.

Rich

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Rich B.

Ro-Loc makes these nylon mesh disk's that twist on just the
sanding disk's. These things will really spoil you! They make gasket removal a piece of cake. I'm always fighting surface rust on my
lathe, and mill no matter how much I oil them. These spiff it up in minutes.

I'm sure if you tried hard enough you could remove some metal, but
I have no problem with them.

Rich

Those discs have a place but not near engines unless the engine is apart so they can be washed.They are made with aluminum oxide and it degrades as you use it and gets into the engine and if not washed out becomes the worlds best honing compound.Very difficult to control when the pistons are in the block.
My2¢

R