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removing remaining head gasket material on engine block


whatelseisleft

whatelseisleft

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So Today I finally pulled the heads on my 05 mazda b3000, there is a ton of old gasket material left on the block. So my question is what is the best way to remove it. The engine is still in the truck just to be clear. The heads are going out to a machine shop at some point this week so the leftover gasket material there will be taken care of by the machine shop.
 


alwaysFlOoReD

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You could buy a gasket scraper, it kind of looks like a wood chisel. I use a wood chisel. One with no nicks...
 
adsm08

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I get a pack of razors and scrape the block by hand. Plan to use at least 3 or 4, because you should ditch one and get a new one as soon as it starts to dull.
 
whatelseisleft

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I've usually done it using razors. just wanted to get other opinions.
 

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I have used a 3" putty knife for many years, it is softer metal so hard to make it gouge block or head metal.

I often sharpen it but not "razor" sharp, just enough to keep a taper on one side then file it flat.

You can use a fine grit sand paper on a sanding block to polish residue off.

Then rotate crank to clean out/off pistons.

Try to keep any debris out of the water or oil passages
 
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jeremysdad

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I always try to stuff holes with rags if possible. Then follow with a shop vac when you're done.
 
ratdude747

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I used a stainless steel scrubber pad from dollar tree (3 per $1 pack) to remove gasket material from the head/cylinder of a lawn mower today. They worked well for the old gasket material and did an OK job of removing carbon deposits as well. Didn't gouge up the aluminum either (the 3.0 is all iron, so that's not an issue really).

I've seen EricTheCarGuy (youtuber and general automotive forum) use green plastic 3M Roloc Discs on a die grinder to remove gasket material and RTV with pretty good results.

I've used gasket scrapers before, they're OK. Just OK. Same for razor blades (they do a better job than scrapers/putty knives but are harder to use safely).
 
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