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 02:53 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE