What is everyone method for cleaning block surface? Cast iron block.
intrade,
Oct 29, 8:04am
laping stone on where headgasket goes
cattleshed,
Oct 29, 8:19am
Car / engine is always helpful! Oily rags stuffed into cylinders. Also avoid rubbish getting into coolant channels, thread holes etc. Use a scraper. It is hard to damage cast iron but be careful all the same. Look for cracks. Be scrupulous. Then use fine wet or dry sandpaper (use with some turps). Clean out thread holes with compressed air. Remove rags. Clean cylinders. Use brake cleaner for a final clean.
ian86,
Oct 29, 9:15am
Been a while since I've done a head gasket - but I use a scraper first to get the worst off and then sandpaper on a file to finish off, at a guess around 120 grit or close to this either side - and haven't had any problems, but as has been said - be fussy.
nice_lady,
Oct 29, 9:22am
Hubby's reckons the green kitchen scouring pads do a good job.
tony9,
Oct 30, 1:48am
You need to refer to the manufacturer's specs before getting out the sandpaper, scrapers etc. Some need a near mirror finish if the head moves relevant to the block, others need a specific roughness.
if it was hot you need check if its not bent head and block also. plus hairline cracks. i recall a nissan terrano on here head changed 4 times problem still there hairline crack in block was the reason.
cattleshed,
Oct 30, 6:27am
Regardless, check it / get it checked. It is possible to skim it yourself in a low tech way but you do need to know what you are doing.
cabrio1,
Oct 31, 8:57am
Scrape it with a new stanly blade at 90 degree to the head/block surface. At least that's toyotas factory manual advise. Amazing how hard the carbon is, you will sand around/over it. The blade will scrape it off. A light go with scotchbrite and crc, will show up the carbon you may have missed.
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