ThrelkeldsZ

Ok I'm in the process of changing a blown head gasket. I have the heads off already so my question is. How do I get the rest of the coolant out of the block? What should I use to remove the residue from the old gaskets? And should I get the heads resurfaced or just cleaned and checked for cracks? Thanks in advance!

RezinTexas

I can't help on the surface treatments, however for the coolant you need to drain the coolant from the block plugs. See below excerpt from my build journal. There is one on each side, drivers side is 17mm allen, passenger side is 8mm allen.

garygnu

you could use a scotch brite pad and some solvent .use a shop vac to suck any coolant in the head bolt holes.tape up the lifter galley .

ThrelkeldsZ

Is there a way to clean the lifter valley because I got sum debris in there when I was removing the heads? And thanks for the other answers.

ThrelkeldsZ

Does the shop vac have to be a certain hp to be strong enough to get the coolant out? Because I don't think I can get to the drain plugs in my car port.

RezinTexas

I suppose you could try a siphon tube through one of the holes in the deck surface, if you can't remove the drain plugs.

ThrelkeldsZ

Thanks I used a siphon pump earlier today and I think it worked pretty well. I can't get anymore coolant out.

u118224

iTrader: (3)

Why do you have to get the coolant out of the block if you already have the heads off? Did I miss something?

RezinTexas

as long as you don't get any junk in the coolant jacket its probably not absolutely required, however it was something that the OP asked about.

I would not do a head swap without flushing and changing the coolant.

Z28Dave

iTrader: (10)

screw it just slap it together and burn it through the exhaust!! haha