j/k 
Anytips on removing the old headgasket stuck to the block?
i used a razor blade on mine but be easy as the aluminum block can scar . some scotch pads , similar pads and abrasives contain aluminum oxide . gm has posted about the use of such will cause bearing damage and eventually engine failure .
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Razorblade and water, go easy and take your time. Stuff the cylinders with rags if you want to help cleanup when your done, try not to get crap in the oil drain galleys, and definately flush the engine, as in when done with assembly leave the drain plug open on the pan pour a couple quarts through, just use cheap oil if you want,then also may want to change the oil early the first change.
That may be a little overboard but will be on the safe side.
That may be a little overboard but will be on the safe side.
Last edited by 00pooterSS; Oct 12, 2008 at 12:42 AM.
Razor blade? Yikes. Guess you guys aren't that busy and can spend 3 hrs removing head gasket material 
To the orig. poster, if you don't have access to air and a die grinder, here's a ghetto way to do it. Get yourself (if you dont already have one) and decent battery powered drill. If you don't have one, WalMart sells a cheapo Black & Decker 7.2v for $19.99 that works great. Hit the tool store and buy a fine brush wheel. Something similar to this...
Make sure it's fine and not coarse. Stick it in your drill, and go over the surface of the deck applying medium pressure. The brush will do the rest for you. You can have an entire deck cleaned off in about 10 minutes with plenty of elbow grease left over
Once you're done go up and down all the cylinders wiping them down real good to get all the dust & residue out. I'd also stuff some rags down in the lifter valleys to make sure they stay clean. Also wouldn't hurt to bring each cylinder to TDC, take your wire brush, and clean all the carbon buildup off the pistons. This can only help power, not hurt it.
To the orig. poster, if you don't have access to air and a die grinder, here's a ghetto way to do it. Get yourself (if you dont already have one) and decent battery powered drill. If you don't have one, WalMart sells a cheapo Black & Decker 7.2v for $19.99 that works great. Hit the tool store and buy a fine brush wheel. Something similar to this...
Make sure it's fine and not coarse. Stick it in your drill, and go over the surface of the deck applying medium pressure. The brush will do the rest for you. You can have an entire deck cleaned off in about 10 minutes with plenty of elbow grease left over
Once you're done go up and down all the cylinders wiping them down real good to get all the dust & residue out. I'd also stuff some rags down in the lifter valleys to make sure they stay clean. Also wouldn't hurt to bring each cylinder to TDC, take your wire brush, and clean all the carbon buildup off the pistons. This can only help power, not hurt it.
I used a fine bristle brass brush with just a little paint thinner on my iron block. Gasket pieces came right off without scratching the block at all. I am not sure about aluminum though.
Those would be great if you dont mind the bristles breaking off and ending up in places you dont want them, if you have to buff them off use roloc discs thats what I always use at work.
I like to use the single edge razor blades mounted in the handle made for this purpose. One other thing you can do is have a vacuum cleaner wand in your free hand as you scrape the debris off of the deck surface. This helps keep the small pieces of trash from finding their way down into the water jacket. Once you get the majority of it off use some scotch brite pads with some of the nasty solvent stuff that burns your hands where all the cuts you got while pulling the heads off are. Damn that stuff hurts. Don't take short cuts on this step. It is VERY important that the deck surface and face of the cylinder heads be clean enough to pass Sargent Carter's inspection. A little extra time and effort here pays big dividends down the road.
guys im telling u either 1000 or 1500 grit sandpaper u can get it pretty much anywhere and dont have to worry about it screwin up ur block it doesnt take enuf off to do that...although my deck looked chrome when i was finished not sure how good that is...anyway have had no probs yet
guys im telling u either 1000 or 1500 grit sandpaper u can get it pretty much anywhere and dont have to worry about it screwin up ur block it doesnt take enuf off to do that...although my deck looked chrome when i was finished not sure how good that is...anyway have had no probs yet