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Scraping off head gasket material

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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 01:13 PM
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Default Scraping off head gasket material

I recently pulled the heads off the car am going to start prepping the block for the new head gaskets. My question is:

What should I use to scrape the old head gasket material off with? I have a Crapsman metal gasket scraper but am concerned about it gouging the block. Is there anything other than this scraper I can use?

TIA!
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 01:19 PM
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I use a plastic sheetrock mud scraper. Its enough, and since its plastic, you wont have as much to worry about. The material you are removing is softer than the old fasioned rotted on gasket.

www.ls1howto.com should mention what we used.

chris
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 01:19 PM
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I read that some folks are using a plastic ice scraper. Like the kind you use on your windows in winter.
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 01:20 PM
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ah... jmX speaks of a plastic ice scraper... easy to find for sure.

chris
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 01:28 PM
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Cool, I think I have one of those plastic puddy knifes at the house.
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 02:14 PM
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Well the first time a buddy of mine used a wizzer pad on my motor... Needless to say that motor has 6 spun rod bearings and 3 spun mains. In any case, the second time, I used a little metal household razor blade. Poured a little trans fluid into the cylinders to collect all of the excess head gasket. You really dont have to worry about some of the old gasket falling into the cylinder, when you start the car up, that is just going to burn up.
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 02:21 PM
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i used a new x-acto blade for mine. just gotta be real careful. cleaned it up have had no problems with the new gaskets leaking or anything.
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 03:29 PM
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Careful with anything metal. You can use simple green Scotchbrite pads of your kitchen sink. They work great on the block and will not scar anything. Two a side will do it. Try those first.
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 03:49 PM
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I have used a razor blade with great success. Just use lite pressure and keep it at a 45* angle. All you are doing is removing the stuck-on graphite pieces.

I WOULD NOT SUGGEST USING A SCOTCH-BRITE PAD BECAUSE OF THE SMALL PARTICLES OF GRIT THAT ARE IMPREGNATED IN THE PAD THAT CAN GET INTO THE CYLINDERS, THAT IS NOT GOOD!
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 04:00 PM
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I've done 10 head swaps or so now with the ice scraper and I still feel its the easiest and safest way to get the material off. If you are using graphite gaskets having a fine 0.0005" layer of stuck on old gasket here and there isnt gonna matter, so IMO a razor or scotchbrite is just overkill in those situations.

For a metal gasket, I can't say as I've not used one. Probably best to get the surface very clean at that point, and a plastic ice scraper first, with a 2nd pass CAREFULLY with a flat edged razor would probably do the trick.
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Old Nov 26, 2003 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by jmX
I've done 10 head swaps or so now with the ice scraper and I still feel its the easiest and safest way to get the material off. If you are using graphite gaskets having a fine 0.0005" layer of stuck on old gasket here and there isnt gonna matter, so IMO a razor or scotchbrite is just overkill in those situations.

For a metal gasket, I can't say as I've not used one. Probably best to get the surface very clean at that point, and a plastic ice scraper first, with a 2nd pass CAREFULLY with a flat edged razor would probably do the trick.
Exact way I did it bro...havent blown my HG in over 15,000 miles.... :d
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