A flat razor and appropriate holder will be your most valuable tool. Buy at least 20 of them. Keep the razor at a shallow angle and flip it over often. Replace just as often.

Some like the green scrubby, I have used it when the pistons are out or as a last resort on a stuborn stain when pistons are in. But it is not ideal... neither is any abrasive that will leave remnants behind.


The razor is also great for the carbon buildup at the tops of the sleeves. However, there is no reason to remove carbon from the inner cylinder when doing a head job. Just remove the carbon from the head surface and all headgasket remnants.

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