Is there any easy way to clean the deck surface of an ls1? i tried using a plastic putty knife to scrape the residue from the head gaskets but it is taking forever and not really working that well.

Anyways im just looking for any tips on how to clean it without scratching the block.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

Grind the end of a piece of hardwood like a putty knife with a sharp angle on it.

 

angle grinder with a soft plastic brillow pad.

 

Razor blade and just be careful. That's how I was taught.

 

Careful with that axe Eugene!

 

I used the razor blade.

 

Hey guys, doing heads cam and at the cleaning stage now
Do I need to keep going or is this good enough?
I started out with a 3M plastic scraper (made for body work) and scraped till it got off as much as it could then carefully used a razor blade and been using some brake cleaner and carb cleaner sprayed on a rag too.
Like the OP experienced it is taking forever (LS1 how to says about 10 15 minutes per side) How clean is clean? I don't want to do an unthorough job but I don't want to go overboard and damage the deck either!

 

hammer and chisel




report back with results.

 

Honestly I can't believe I haven't read about this but I used a dremel with a stainless steel wheel brush and it takes EVERYTHING off and does not scrape the block at all. Looks brand new. For the pistons I used a razor blade to take off all the hard built up carbon and then dremel. Works fast and easy. Beats using any sort of scrapers IMO.

 

^+1 that's how I've always cleaned up metal surfaces, except I use a brass wheel because it is much softer than the block material

 

I did mine with a windshield ice scraper (plastic) then did the final cleanup with a single edge razor blade.

 

What about using a scotch brite pad and some contact cleaner?(very strong electrical cleaner) I work at a shipyard and we use that all the time to clean off Permatex on gasket sealing surfaces for steam turbines and what not.

 

I use a rotary tool with a Roloc disk. Basically a round soft rubber disk that has a bunch of little fingers on it. Its like $15 for the holder and disks from Northern tool. Use the white disks for engine work, and keep it moving, I keep the surface wet with brake clean. 15 minutes total.

Mark

 

razor blade and some brake clean on a rag... works great. and you don't have little bits of leftover gasket and things going everywhere.. might take a little longer but does the job

 

I have always used a razorblade. Never had an issue.

 

This. And carb cleaner.

 

Thanks guys
Like most of you I used a window scraper for the bulk of it then moved onto a razor blade and some brake cleaner. For the people that used this method did you work until the surface was smooth and most was gone or did you manage to get it all off to the point it looked like a new milled deck?

 

I managed to get it all. I did have the engine out of the car though and could take a lot of time but that is what I would do. No sense half assing it now when when got the heads off. I got it down to where it looked like a milled deck with blade and brake clean.

 

I have had good luck with the "Blue 3M scotch Brite Roloc pad. Low speed, while keeping flat on the deck, Quick and easy. Will need the manderal as well. Can use it either in a HI speed, if you dont have air a batt drill will work.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...glFGQTB8B2BWbl

 

Thanks guys. Taking a break and working on other parts now so will try to go back to it and scrape some more. ugh
How did you 3M pad users keep from making a mess in the cylinders and everywhere?