Head gasket seating surface & piston top cleaning
 

Thanks to all the posts detailing the removal and installation of the M103 cyl. head, I have it off now and at the machine shop where it awaits a complete rebuild.

Now, I had come across a couple of posts where the cleaning of the gasket seating surface on the block was mentioned, but I can't find it now.

Can someone please let me know the correct method of cleaning the head gasket seating surface on the block and also the best way to clean the piston tops of all the carbon deposits? Is using a razor blade the best way to clean the seating surface?

Thanks.

Whatever blade material you use make sure you keep it flat on the metal to avoid gouging the top of the block.

A dremel with a brass brush is nice to do the finish too.

Yep,

Razor blade is my prefered weapon on a cast iron block. Take your time and get it all off- several blades will be needed.


M

The best head gasket scraper that I've used in the last 47 years is the same one I've used for the last 47 years. It is an old large flat bastard file with the end ground off carefully to a 45 degree edge. Keep it cool in water while grinding the edge.

My Dad gave me the old file and showed me how to grind the edge when I was rebuilding the engine in my 47 Chevy at the age of 13. I've reground the edge a number of times over the years and I've bought commercially available gasket scrapers over the years, but have never found one that works as good.

This past January I was in the shop scraping a head gasket surface with that old file when they called to tell me that my Dad had died. It's funny some of the things that you think of.


Piston tops are a totally different issue. I've never used anything more severe than a hard wood stick UNLESS the pistons are out of the engine. They are soft and REALLY EASY to gouge. Be gentle with them.

brass brush
 

i assume it is safe to use a brass brush on the head too?
mak

Avoid scotchbrit products... you don't want any residual abrasive in the engine.
Piston tops leave them alone.

Michael

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ WHAT HE SAID!

Several years back, they started selling all sorts of scotchbrite type products for rotary tools and marketed them for gasket removal. The grit from these things was strewn throughout zillions of engines and made for some very short lived overhauls and valve jobs!