So I pulled the engine this morning. It took about 3 hours to get everything out of the way and drained. Then it took another 2 hours to strip the engine down.

 

I was taking my time since I've never pulled a Subaru engine before. It was pretty smooth, and I could have shaved an hour or more off the pull time if I had done it before, and if I had all of the tools and equipment together.

 

QUESTION:

What can I use to clean off the gasket surfaces? On another vehicle, I'd probably use a steel-bristled brush, but I think that it would gouge the aluminum. Could I use a brass-bristled brush on a drill/dremel to clean surfaces off? Or, do I revert back to razor blade scrapers and dental picks?

 

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

Invest in a gasket scraper, they are less than $10. I dont think a brass bristle will harm the surface but it may take a while to clean that way.

i used brand new stanley knife blades on oil pan and valve cover (alloy bits). make sure you keep it level with the surface tho.