Cleaning cylinder head surface

[jimp1967]

Hey guys, I'm new here but been reading this forum for years. Finally found a good buy on a '81 SH so here I am. The cylinder head was bad and I had to buy one off EB so a clean up has to be done. It's aluminum of course so I know I have to be careful how I get the 35 yr old head gasket off. Is the spray on gasket remover with a plastic scraper my best option? Brass wire wheel? One of those Roloc plastic/rubber wheels for aluminum. Thanks for any advice "yall"(Texan) can give.

Jimmy

[MPittma100]

Gasket Removal

Here is a thread that discusses gasket removal. The abrasive pads mentioned in the thread used with a 90 degree dye grinder is the perfect way to remove any gasket. It is fast and does not harm the aluminum. There is no better method. If the surface needs further attention, take it to a machine shop for resurfacing.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39869

[jimp1967]

Cleaning gasket

That thread only talks about polishing aluminum but I have used those pads for knocking off gasket on cast iron heads. If they are safe to use on aluminum gasket surfaces then I'll get some and clean it up. Thanks

[jetmechmarty]

Just don't use a steel wire brush.

[jimp1967]

Steel brush

No Sir on the steel wire brushes for sure. I have a dremel and bought a pack of small brass brushes to decoke the exhaust ports and chambers. They don't last at all before the bristles are gone and that's with light pressure. I have some CRC gasket remover and will try spraying some of that on the head gasket surface and let it sit for a short while then hit it with a plastic scraper. The little sanding disc "cookies" that go on the die grinder I have and used on car engines with no problems. But there is a lot of people that say those and the Roloc bristle wheels will make uneven spots on the gasket surface even with light pressure.

[BA80]

The roloc bristle option will be fine. They are made of a plastic and won't cause any issue unless you hold it in one spot for a LONG time.

[jimp1967]

Roloc bristle

That's good to know, they advertise the White Roloc for aluminum is that the one you use Greg?

[BA80]

Yeah, that or yellow. http://www.walmart.com/ip/3m-07525-2...ellow/41092075

Those are the type but I use the 3" pad that chucks up in a drill or small angle grinder and the discs screw into it.

[jimp1967]

Roloc

Great, thanks Greg

[jimp1967]

2" Roloc

The local Napa had a 2" white Roloc in stock but not a 3". I will give the 2" a go.

[Prothec]

I primarily use a razor blade. It's slow and time consuming, but cheap and effective. Once the larger pieces are removed, just scraping at a 90-degree angle from the surface removes most of the stuck-on bits. For anything left that's really stuck on, a small amount of WD40 or other light light oil with fine sandpaper does the trick.

One of these days I'll need to try one of these quicker methods.

[kboehringer]

Wet Sand w/Oil

SNIP......a small amount of WD40 or other light light oil with fine sandpaper does the trick. One of these days I'll need to try one of these quicker methods.

In my opinion, this IS the best method to assure nothing is damaged and NO metal is removed. I use wet sandpaper. Been doing it this way on Aluminum & Steel cylinder heads from Bikes & Cars from the first time I took one apart.....

KURT