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

Cleaning the deck..?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 12:29 AM
  #1  
LS1Silverado05's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 1
From: Classified
Default Cleaning the deck..?

Whats the best method or tool for cleaning the deck surface before replacing the heads? I assume there is a "best" way since its aluminum? Something to put on a drill maybe?..
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 12:46 AM
  #2  
Evans752's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
15 Year Member
iTrader: (29)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Logan, West Virginia
Default

I buy some plastic type buffing pads off of the Snap On truck is what I have always used. Other places might sell them (Napa,Autozone,Advanced Auto Parts) but I dont know for sure. Hope this helps. Good Luck
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 01:19 AM
  #3  
Tainted's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,425
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis
Default

i used one of those lil rubber nub wheels you put on a drill to clean mine but everyone said that it wasnt a good idea.

It got clean, and it feels smooth so who knows?
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 01:56 AM
  #4  
LS1Silverado05's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 1
From: Classified
Default

rubber nub wheels?...I dont know if I know them or not..
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 03:45 AM
  #5  
LS1MCSS's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,831
Likes: 8
From: Dover, Arkansas
Default

Scotchbrite pads are what a lot of people use. I used them on mine and it works good.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 07:13 AM
  #6  
eallanboggs's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
Default

Single edge razor blade in one hand and vacuum cleaner nozzle in the other. You can finish with Scotchbrite.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 08:57 AM
  #7  
AutomagicLS1's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 1
From: Spring Hill,Kansas
Default

A small razor blade and get a gallon of acetone at the hardware store. That stuff will take just about anything off and clean the deck real good once you get the crap off
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 10:20 AM
  #8  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

Bamboo chopstick shaped like a chisel (won't scratch aluminum) and scotchbrite pad with de-natured alcohol. No metal of any type for cleaning.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

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

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 10:36 AM
  #9  
Marc 85Z28's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 6
From: MD
Default

Use a 3M Bristle Disc: http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...beGS5N3GC52Hgl Use a conditioned new razor blade with brake cleaner to remove the bulk of the gasket, and the 3M disc to remove the rest.

The use of regular Roloc discs or Scotch Brite pads introduces way too much debris into the engine. ALL major engine remanufacturers (including the OEMs) warn against using them, and any evidence of using them voids the engine warranty.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 11:01 AM
  #10  
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
Internet Mechanic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,830
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford CT
Default

For 01 heads.

stuff rags in the lifter valley holes

Scraper for the heavey stuff

Scotch Brite Pad with Wd-40 for cleaning the surface

Brake clean

Air hose or a vaccume to clear the bolt holes.

Final prep and wipe with brake clean and rag (clean)
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 05:17 PM
  #11  
DaveX's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, KY
Default

I would stay away from power tools with aluminum. I used a razor blade and just took my time. Just go slow and don't let it dig in.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 05:34 PM
  #12  
BriancWS6's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 1
From: The Garage
Default

I used an ice scraper that you would use on your windshield. It's plastic, so it couldn't hurt the aluminum, but it was sharp enough to peel away the gunk. Worked nicely.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 06:08 PM
  #13  
HAMRHEAD's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,846
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
Default

Scotchbrite pad here. Worked fine.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 07:46 PM
  #14  
Tri5Nerd's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Default

Scotbrite,acetone and scrubbing. Be patient because it's going to take some time to get it clean. Don't forget to clean up the pistons also if they have any carbon buildup.
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 09:17 PM
  #15  
LS1Silverado05's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (41)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,374
Likes: 1
From: Classified
Default

Originally Posted by Tri5Nerd
Scotbrite,acetone and scrubbing. Be patient because it's going to take some time to get it clean. Don't forget to clean up the pistons also if they have any carbon buildup.
Good tip. Should I use TB cleaner or what?..
Reply
Old Nov 23, 2007 | 11:50 PM
  #16  
BigBirdTA's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Default

Actually I've tried all of the above. The best and fastest results I got were with scraper and then a razor.

The trick is to lubricate/dissolve with GM Top End cleaner or Seafoam. They are solvents that will dissolve as you scrape. Once done with the scraper, there's so little left that a razor will take it off in a hurry.
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2007 | 02:57 PM
  #17  
blkbird's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 14
From: san antonio, tx
Default

I used the scrapper and razor blade method myself.... Worked pretty good.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:39 AM.

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