i am taking a motor apart and going to put some new head gaskets on it but i want to clean the head surfaces and want to know how to go about it with out scarring the surfaces up.

 

I know i don't want to use scrapers or razor blades because the thing is aluminum.

 

do i just sit there with a bunch of carb cleaner and nylon brush or what?

A brass putty knife should do the trick. If that still bothers you, a plastic ice scraper may just work too.

A brass putty knife should do the trick. If that still bothers you, a plastic ice scraper may just work too.

 

i have some brass brushes too, but it still makes me a little uneasy, i will try the plastic scrapers. i do remember now that they make plastic razor blades. may not last long, but you get a good bunch of them and go to town

 

thanks

I like to use those thin nylon guitar picks as scrapers. They work great on old stickers, Scotch tape, etc. Not sure how they'd work on engines.

Just a thought: For the valve covers, check with your local machine shops to see who has a soda blaster and what they'd charge you to blast 'em. You might be able to get 'em both done for cheap. Will come out looking brand new.

 

For the gasket surfaces, try a 3M green abrasive pad and acetone.

I've heard Napa and such have a rubbery/plastic type thing you put in a drill that's supposed to work really well. Don't know much more about it since I haven't used one before.

 

edit:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=79777

I use gasket remover spray, carb cleaner and brass brushes by hand. A motorized brush will damage the aluminum, but you can't hurt it by hand.

[...]i will try the plastic scrapers.[...]

There are plastic, solvent-resistant putty/taping knives available at most hardware stores or home centers. Also, old credit cards or even the fake ones you get in the mail may work, although some won't hold up to solvents.