Engine block gasket surface Q
 

1991 300te. How clean should the lower block gasket surface be before installing a new headgasket? I have thoroughly cleaned the surface with brake cleaner, and a scotchbrite pad. Visually the only thing remaining are very slight stains here or there.

You should be able to run your finger across the surface and not feel any bumps at all.

How did you get the pistons that clean?

You should get the cleaning attachment for a dremel and clean them a little more so you can find hot spots.

I used the flat edge of an exacto knife and scraped all the build up of carbon off. I would do two at a time when they had been rotated to tdc, making sure that when they were up I could not damage the chamber wall.