I should be getting my heads back sometime mid-week and I've searched on block cleaning but didn't really come up with anything good.

What do you guys recommend? I know not to use ScotchBrite or anything metal wise. Just need to know the best way to get gasket material off and get it clean.

Also, being the block is drained of coolant. What's the best way of refilling it? I'll be installing an electric w/p, will I be able to fill it back up with that while the car is off?

 

I used the 2'' blue scotchbrite pad on a drill on the exhaust ports on the heads. i heard it wont remove the soft aluminum. I also used it on the block. I went through like 6 of them. Worked like a champ.

 

I used a gasket scraper on the block and some brake cleaner. I filled my block through the water pump housing. Since I have a Meziere, I gave it power to circulate the coolant thoughout the block.

 

be sure to clean out all the bolt holes and retap them. Also napa makes a gasket removing solvet-it works well

 

Retap them?

 

So far I have just been using a gasket scraper, and some cleaning solvent, it has been going ok. I was also wondering about the threads, and if i should do anything with them, and how I would do it.

AsianSen- Did you just poor coolant into the waterpump through the thermostat housing with it removed and run the pump??

Brandon

 

It is just to clean out the threads from the old thread sealant. I guess it could affect the torque readings when you put the new head bolts on/in.

Just screw a tap in by hand into each head bolt hole on the block. I used a 7/16-14 tap.

 

Yep, that's what I did and pour coolant in the radiator also.

 

A thread chaser is recommended over a tap. A tap can remove more metal, but a chaser won't. That said, I have used taps before (just because I already had them) and never had a problem.

 

Chase the threads, you dont want to run the risk of removing more metal "accidentally".


Oops, sorry shoebox! I should have read the thread all the way through!

 

Thread chaser, what size?

 

If a the tap someone said they used was 7/16"-14, don't you think the chaser would be the same size? Maybe not. I guess that is why you asked.

 

Never even saw the post stating it, oh well.