Texas-Firehawk

iTrader: (1)

I am almost done with the tear down on this moster. I am swapping the heads to 243's and I need to know how to get the old gasket material off the block. I do not have the motor pulled so everything is exposed!!!

How can I get this OEM gasket off with out getting it in the coolant vents or piston heads.

Anyone know of a process that will work?

Do I have to get it back to shiny aluminum?

99huggerorangeZ

iTrader: (2)

Blue-3M ROLOC Surface prep disc's.

bayer-z28

iTrader: (14)

You're gonna get chunks in the coolant, but try to avoid it. And getting it in the pistons is fine, just vacuum everything out after. I avoid the blow gun because it could splash coolant if the air hits the coolant passages.

And some of those "cookie" wheels can hut into the aluminum. The blue should be fine, just don't use the green or brown ones.

Texas-Firehawk

iTrader: (1)

what about a sanding block?

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CGMQ8wIwAA#

bmf5150

I used these yellow 3m rolloc pads with little fingers!make sure what u use is ok for aluminum!

trans_am7935

iTrader: (15)

plastic ice scrapper.....

MrElectric03

iTrader: (71)

These are made for taking paint off I believe, they work great for removing the gasket material. Plastic scrapers can work good too just not as quick. Just dont use a wire wheel or somehting that can take aluminum away.

jaredbaugh89

plastic ice scrapper worked well for me , just be patient and take your time, be sure to suck out any bits you get into the pistons , stuffing a rag so nothing gets into the lifters is a good idea too.
be sure to clean all the coolant out of the bolt holes too ! a good way for this is to roll up some paper towels into fine points and just take the time to do each hole soaking up the coolant if you havent allready done so.

Cape T/A

^ like he said, definatly want to make sure all coolant is out of the bolt holes before you put the heads on, or you could crack your block.

Texas-Firehawk

iTrader: (1)

I am going to take an old head bolt and cut a groove in with a dremel so I can clean the threads too. I hear that will crack the block also when you torq to spec.

Thanks for the assistance.