Ok, All the heads are off now, and getting ready to send them to raging motorsports. I got ARP Head Studs for my new heads and was hoping I can install them without pulling block. Now that I have just a block under my hood, I need help with the Prep work needed before I put My new heads on.
1. How do I remove the residue from the old gasket
2. how do I clean the coolant out of holes.
3. At what point can I say to myself, Everything is cleaned, and new heads are ready for installation?

Thanks

 

Go to jmX's site: right here

<small>[ April 17, 2003, 08:36 PM: Message edited by: LOnSLO ]</small>

 

you CAN install the studs..use a scotch brite for the deck, and I use the air gun (carefully) with a rag around it. Then once most of the crap is out of the holes, just blast away..with probe type blow gun, to get down in the holes..

 

Do not use Scotch brite! It is extremely abrasive and not good for the piston walls if not cleaned out real well. Use gasket remover, a plastic scraper, and finish till smooth with a medium steel wool. I clean the whole mess using a shop vac that has a small tube duct taped in the vacuum hose end. Use 5/16" tubing to slide in the bolt holes. Once the coolant is out of the holes and pistons take a old head bolt and grind down on two sides. Use this "tool" to clean out all the remaining debris in the bolt holes. I also use the tube again and make sure everything is out of the bolt holes. It is a process....but how many times do you change your heads?
Good Luck w/ the new setup.....You will love it!

 

We have used scotch brite on 4 HC installs..no problems..if it is new and you don't beat the hell out of the pad, it will be fine.and of course clean everything up <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

 

I dont recommend that scrotchbrite or steel wool is used. A plastic scraper is more than enough to make the surface clean, flat, and smooth enough for a new gasket and head to be installed. The surface may still be gasket colored, but it will be perfectly smooth to the touch which is good enough.

Everybody has their own favorite method though.

 

So your saying using a wire brush on a hand grinder wasn't the best method to getting the old gasket off????