Dipstick

What is the best way to remove a stock head gasket without scratching the head/block. The ice scraper is a pain and doesn't get all the graphite off.

What about using paint remover. The kind that is a jell and melts everything?

MrDude_1

iTrader: (4)

the best way is with a right angle air tool and one of thoes "plastic fingered" disc attachements...
they get everything off, but wont harm the block or heads.

777

iTrader: (21)

Don't use a razor blade though, it could cause some issues sealing the heads to the block. Remember aluminum is fairly soft.

PREDATOR-Z

Plastic ice scraper, brake cleaner or some other non corrosive solvent (petrol works too)

Dipstick

Thanks, will look for the plastic fingered thingy.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

What he said and my thumbnail was all I needed.

Dipstick

How about actone or MEK and a Scotchbrite pad? Will they cut it?

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

Isnt actone a hair cutting place? heheheh yea I know what you meant. Yes I would think acetone would do it and the scotch pad is the same as the finger thingy. It should work good as well.

PREDATOR-Z

Acetone is corrosive and Aluminum porous, the 2 do not combine.

MrDude_1

iTrader: (4)

im not sure if thats sarcasm or not... so heres a pic.

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/e...er/output_html

PREDATOR-Z

Lol that picture reminds me of "Home Improvement"

What do we need? MORE POWER

MrDude_1

iTrader: (4)

what pic? the one i attached? lol..

dont knock em till you've tried them... they work awsome.. every engine builder i know uses them now... they clean well enough to see the machined surface again, but they wont scuff the surface at all... unlike the scotch pad ones...
the fact that you can clean both block and head surfaces in under 3mins is just a nice plus.. they really do work well.

Dipstick

No sarcasm inteneded. Don't know where you got that from. I just didn't know what else to call it.

Now, do I want fine medium or coarse and where can I get them locally. HD or Lowe's have them?

MrDude_1

iTrader: (4)

i use the yellow and the green ones.... i think the yellow ones are "softer" and ment for alum, so if you're only getting one kind, and its just for the LS1, id get thoes.

you can get them anywhere you get 3M stuffs... i get mine thru my uncle since he has a shop... i havent used them in a couple years, but only because i havent had to build a motor in a couple years.. lol.

King James

iTrader: (13)

Yup, use the yellow. The work great!

Dipstick

I called 3M and the lady said to try NAPA. NAPA's web site search finally found them.
Thanks.

Dipstick

According to NAPA's site the white are best for aluminum. Green for harder metals and yellow for all metals. Think I'll go with white and yellow.

MrDude_1

iTrader: (4)

just so you know, you're only going to need one to clean off the motor.... and the next.. and the next.. lol. they last a reasonable length of time.

MrDude_1

iTrader: (4)

heh, off topic...

i just went to your website, and saw where you mentioned a "Mendeola S4-S sequential shift transmission" where can i find more info on this trans??

i just tried a quick google search, and all ive found is a ton of sandrail specs.. no real info.

Dipstick

Mendeola Racing