Deck prep

[nitrofarm]

What does everyone use on their deck to prep for new gasket? Scotch Brite, 600 wet paper with some WD-40, Hand held Stone with oil? This perticular block I'm doing really has an nasty imprint from the old gasket. Its a crime to put a new head on a deck thats not puuuurfect :nono:

[GenevaDirt]

What does everyone use on their deck to prep for new gasket? Scotch Brite, 600 wet paper with some WD-40, Hand held Stone with oil? This perticular block I'm doing really has an nasty imprint from the old gasket. Its a crime to put a new head on a deck thats not puuuurfect :nono:

ummmm...I am lost with your terminology...

[nitrofarm]

ummmm...I am lost with your terminology...

The top of the block,gasket surface mating area-how & what do you clean it with

[Hot_Wheels]

a razor blade and some break clean, make sure not to gouge. You really shouldn't need to take any abrasive to the deck. You just want to remove the old gasket. There is a rubber fingered bit for a small hand grinder that is also good and does not mark the surface.

[scitzz]

X2 on the razor. Copper sealant FTW.

[Festy46]

I use a wooden block and sandpaper but am careful to not go across the oil restrictor hole. You don't want dirt getting into the oil system going to the head. You can place a little piece of tape on the restrictor to remind you in case you get carried away with your sanding. I give the head gasket a good heavy coating of the spray on copper gasket sealer when installing the head gasket.

[MasterTec]

Also judge the surface by feel not by appearance. Sometimes you can see the imprint but you cant feel it in which case it should be ok.

[sketchman]

Xwhatever on the razor blade. I know lots of people use sandpaper, and it's probably fine if you're careful, though some people seem to be scared to death of the idea. Professional head rebuilders among them too.

I've gone as far as using an electric oscillating 1/3 sheet finishing sander on a head(after attaching a piece of plexi shimmed true to ensure a true surface), and it looked GREAT and worked fine, but YMMV.

[Advancedynamix]

I use a fresh planer blade for a wood plane. They are like a big thick razor blade and can be purchased at home depot in packs of three. Scrape so as not to remove any metal, then the back side of the blade is a good gauge to determine how bad the pitting is. Same thing can be done on the head itself.

[denguy]

I wouldn't use sandpaper or anything else with any kind of little rocks involved anywhere, don't want any of those in my motor and you'll never get them all off. The razor blade idea sounds good if you keep the scrapings out of the bores, put some masking tape sticking up from the bores so the glue can catch stuff,do an especially good scraping in the gasket firering area next to the bores, followed by a good wipe down with brake cleaner. The head gasket itself will compensate for minor imperfections.

[nitrofarm]

Ok Guys thanks for all the input! I'm "Armed & Dangerous" and will get er done right.I have a soft plastisc wizzy wheel bit that we used on aluminum airplanes that I might gently go over the top of the block with.(I've already used a straight edge razor scraper) But I kinda want a slight polish to it,it really has a "Imprint" of the gasket that looks like it may cause a sealing problem.
I'm feeling a little like a Hippie & bought "Lime Green" engine paint for the head. :eeeeeek: (Im a sucker for green) Dont know if I have the balls to paint it that color though drool

[rbrown]

Ok Guys thanks for all the input! I'm "Armed & Dangerous" and will get er done right.I have a soft plastisc wizzy wheel bit that we used on aluminum airplanes that I might gently go over the top of the block with.(I've already used a straight edge razor scraper) But I kinda want a slight polish to it,it really has a "Imprint" of the gasket that looks like it may cause a sealing problem.
I'm feeling a little like a Hippie & bought "Lime Green" engine paint for the head. :eeeeeek: (Im a sucker for green) Dont know if I have the balls to paint it that color though drool

You said balls.

[Festy46]

I'm feeling a little like a Hippie & bought "Lime Green" engine paint for the head. :eeeeeek: (Im a sucker for green) Dont know if I have the balls to paint it that color though drool

Why stop with the head? Do the whole car.

[scitzz]

I painted my B3 head many a year ago, and it overheated. I had to take the paint off. Recently, I told Kartracer about it, and he told me I used the wrong kind of paint.

Don't be Paul, make sure you use the right kind of paint!

[nitrofarm]

I painted my B3 head many a year ago, and it overheated. I had to take the paint off. Recently, I told Kartracer about it, and he told me I used the wrong kind of paint.

Don't be Paul, make sure you use the right kind of paint!

Really? I know black paint dissipates & white paint retains heat. But what would be the "Wrong" kind of paint? I have the Krylon high temp engine paint?