stupid noob question about removing gaskets

[zoom zoom]

I got my block back today, and they "cleaned" it but it still needs more work, there are holes with gunk visible in them.

Anyway, my question is regarding the top of the block, there's only a couple spots with old material still on it, and I DO NOT want to use a razorblade on it, I will only end up scratching the surface and with this MLS gasket that's not a good thing.

Can I use a dremel on low speed with a polish bit on it to remove the old stuff? I doubt a razorblade would really even touch the little bit of stuff that's left. I still have some material left on the oil pump mating surface and other random areas that need removed.

[Movin]

ZEP gasket remover...


Amazingly similar to stove cleaner..

[Bert]

Wide blade and sharp wood chisel works wonders on cleaning any flat surface.

[nebrfestiva]

take it back and make them clean it again.

[stonemaster]

depends, I've had some come off fairly easily, and I had one (Kaw Z1 motorcycle) that took hours with a razor blade and sandpaper

[denguy]

I would not allow sandpaper or a grinding wheel or any abrasive material near my engine unless it was done before hot tanking. Careful scraping only.

[MasterTec]

What you need are 3M Roloc Bristle discs. These use rubber/plastic fingers to remove the gasket material without damaging the surface. I use these all the time on steel and aluminum parts with no ill effects.

[blkfordsedan]

Hot tanks never get all the gasket material off and machine shops never get parts clean enough to assemble (unless they are building the engine). You wouldn't want to pay for all the labor to have them do it anyway. A good, sharp, flat bladed gasket scraper and a lot of careful scraping. Its not too bad on an iron block if you're careful and patient (as opposed to soft aluminum. Loctite "chisel" gasket spray and scotch-brite pads work well. The Rol-Loc things are great too. Make sure to clean the block well before assembly.

[caoverlock]

3m also makes a roloc pad with a scotch brite material put them on air angle grinder been useing these over twenty years never had problem .grinder at harbor freight quick fix

[Movin]

Air and various pads are what shops use like the roloc above we get these products
in different rates of aggressiveness.

For at home, no air tools I would stay away from the dremel but Oven cleaner spray,
steel wool or scotch pad, Carb cleaner might be the ticket. Used the carb cleaner to
blow out passages and bolt holes too. Watch out for nasty fumes..wear gloves

[Nerd Racing]

What you need are 3M Roloc Bristle discs. These use rubber/plastic fingers to remove the gasket material without damaging the surface. I use these all the time on steel and aluminum parts with no ill effects.

I've seen these in action and i was very impressed. now that i have air i need to get some. never knew what they were called though. thanks for the tip!

[zoom zoom]

^.^ I'll check into those roloc things, I have an air compressor and a HF dye grinder. thanks guys...I've been busy with other stuff (valves and transmission stuff & painting bicycles) but tomorrow I'm hopefully cleaning the block, gotta go buy some plasti gauge stuff tomorrow too.

[zoom zoom]

So where would I buy those roloc pads, I went to 4 different places today looking, advance, Marietta Ignition, apex feed and supply store(hardware store), and autozone, and nobody has even heard of such a thing. It's beyond their capability to even imagine anything other than a razor blade is useful for removing gasket material.

[blkfordsedan]

You might need to go to an industrial distributor. Fastenal, Grainger, Motion Ind., Applied, Kaman, not sure what you have local. I work for DXP and we are a distibutor for 3M, but we don't stock those particular items. We would have to order them in a case quantity. 3M is very hard to do business with. May also try auto body places and check on-line.

[Movin]

Automotive paint supply stores, and any tool truck servicing shops
like a drug dealer! Dang tool junkies !