Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

prepping for heads install

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 29, 2013 | 11:32 PM
  #1  
bent1's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Default prepping for heads install

what is recommended for cleaning the deck of the block and how clean must it be?
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2013 | 11:35 PM
  #2  
shadowfirep's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Default

Brake cleaner and a lint free cloth works well. You want it as clean and smooth as you can get it. the smoother and flatter it is, the better your head gaskets will seal.
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2013 | 01:36 AM
  #3  
Burken01's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
iTrader: (88)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,925
Likes: 14
From: Anaheim, Ca
Default

Use the blue shop towels like they sell at autozone..

Don't use those red rags, that's ghetto and you'll have lint all through your engine, oil pump, pick up screen etc...

I cleaned a pick up screen and used needle nose pliers to remove a thin layer of that red lint off it..

Use a plastic scraper on the block so it won't dig into the aluminum..

Make sure no coolant is in the head bolt holes before torquing the bolts or else say bye bye to the block..

Cover up the lifter galleys so no gasket trash gets Inside..

And depending on what time of day you do this and location, I recommend doing it early in the morning when there is little to no wind that can kick up dust and dirt..
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2013 | 01:49 AM
  #4  
bent1's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Default

ok thanks.
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2013 | 02:27 AM
  #5  
Burken01's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
iTrader: (88)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,925
Likes: 14
From: Anaheim, Ca
Default

And the deck should be fairly clean, any raised spots will cause problems with the new head gasket sealing properly..

And wipe down the head surface and block surface with rubbing alcohol and let dry to get up oil and grease residue from your hands handling everything.. Install the gasket dry, make sure the head dowels are in the block to align the heads.. Sometimes they get stuck in the old heads..
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2013 | 02:46 AM
  #6  
2000PewterT/A's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 2
Default

X2 on everything Burken01 said
Reply
Old Nov 30, 2013 | 04:26 AM
  #7  
Undertow74's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (45)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 13
From: South Carolina
Default

I used small plastic ice scraper and then some super fine grit sand paper. I made sure to tape off all the coolant passages to not get too much in there. I flushed my block out later anyways since everything was already off. just make sure to get a set of thread chasers for the head bolt holes and some long q tips. you wont believe how much **** is in those holes and you don't want anything in there especially coolant, it will expand and lead to possibly cracking.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:39 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE