5 replies to this topic

[OllyGW]

Hey all,

 

Just recently blew my gasket between two cylinders, have just removed the head from the block and was wondering if you guys had any tips and tricks towards the preparation for the new gasket. I know the surfaces need to be 100% clean for best results. What do you guys normally use to clean the block and head? Sandpaper or just a cleaner etc? Head and block seem to be in good condition, no pitting or warping etc, they just have a bit of oil and old gasket sealer that i need to remove. 

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Olly

[gazza82]

Not sandpaper .. Emery or wet&dry.

Scrape as much as you can ... I use an old filler knife and if harder razor blade ... Then a good polish up.

Where is the gasket sealer? Not on the headgasket faces I hope. You don't use any there!

[jaydee]

I'll tell you a tip

Remove all studs

Clean and inspect all studs and threads and the block

Fit all the studs fully in by hand

Let the gasket fall, you dont want it to catch on the studs, otherwise you will have a problem seating the gasket correctly.

[carbon]

Olly,

 

+1 for Jaydees suggestion of removing all of the studs, I would also use small countersink around each stud hole.

 

For cleaning the block face a scraper is best. There is a risk when using emery or sandpaper of getting abrasive where you don't want it.

 

How did you check your block and head for distortion?

[brownspeed]

+1 for removing the studs.

I used a large oilstone to finally clean up the head and block faces after removing all remnants of gasket and carbon. Then get a good straight edge and check for gaps between it and the face with feeler gauges. I found abut 12 thou on my head so got it lightly skimmed before refitting

[Stevie W]

Hi,

 

I made the mistake of cleaning the block surface on my clubby estate with sandpaper many years ago. Within 50 miles of putting it back together it was smoking like a goodun'. We found lots of scores down the bores when we pulled it all apart again....lesson learned.....the hard way!!!

 

If any abrasive is to be used, apply a little grease around the top of the pistons between the piston edge and cylinder wall, this should prevent any "swarf" getting down the small gap between the piston edges/cylinder walls. After cleaning the block surface, the grease can be carefully wiped away.

 

+1 for a small countersink around the stud holes, this prevents the stud "pulling" the hole upwards during torquing up and makes for a better gasket seal.

 

Cheers, Steve.