How to clean surface of block?

[Mr MXT]

Just about to put my engine back together after some head work. Head is obviously all shiny and clean.

The block has the remains of old gasket etc, that I assume it would be best to clean off before reassembly.

What's the best way to do it?

[steveo3002]

new razor blade ?

[stevieturbo]

There are many gasket scraper devices, or a regular DIY scraper/stanley blade

Just be careful not to let it dig in. Then a final clean with a flat block and wet/dry and/or scotchbrite type stuff

https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt...

[tapkaJohnD]

I use an old 1" chisel, kept sharp, but not as sharp as it would need to be for woodwork.

And remove all the head studs, if you have them. You can't clean around them easily.
JOhn

[AdamIndy]

stevieturbo said:

There are many gasket scraper devices, or a regular DIY scraper/stanley blade

Just be careful not to let it dig in. Then a final clean with a flat block and wet/dry and/or scotchbrite type stuff

https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt...

This.

It's the only way to do it properly without getting it skimmed.

[GreenV8S]

I use a copper scraper rather than steel, so there's less danger of gouging the surface by mistake. If you're competent, that's probably not an issue.

[Mignon]

Best tool is a wallpaper scraper/decorator's knife. 1.5" to 2". Flexible blades don't dig in like chisels and give you more control. For final finishing and smoothing go over the surface with an 8" chisel sharpening stone and paraffin as lubricant. You can get cheap ones for a quid or two from those poundsaver type shops. This will remove any burrs or high spots and can be used on aluminium as well as steel with care. Then clean off with a rag and petrol or white spirit.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-decorators-k...

[kev b]

A bit late now but I always clean the face up first as it's annoying to have done all the work then discover the block is cracked.

[SuperchargedVR6]

What's the best way to stop all the scrapings getting into the cylinders and oil / water ways?

I may have to do this job later in the year.

[stevieturbo]

Do it upside down ?

Or very carefully lol

[Mignon]

stevieturbo said:

Do it upside down ?

Or very carefully lol

That's just silly!! Oh you mean the block upside down lol

[GreenV8S]

Rags?

[kev b]

Grease.

[Sardonicus]

I just tend to start at the waterways/oilways etc and scrape towards the edge of the block as suggested already ..... tilted razors and Stanley blades either in or out of holders are all I have ever used this method works well on Honda engines pre MLS gasket engines too its not a job I look back with rose tinted glasses I can tell you and that was over 25 years ago now, they was bloody horrible we did however find a gasket remover spray from Wurth left on over night made things easier really stubborn to remove from either iron or ally those gaskets worst Ive experienced on the tools

[Mr2Mike]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

What's the best way to stop all the scrapings getting into the cylinders and oil / water ways?

I may have to do this job later in the year.

Easy to remove any debris from the cylinders with a vacuum cleaner. The odd tiny bit of gasket in the water jacket isn't the end of the world, but just do your best to avoid them, and especially oil ways.

[Krikkit]

Putting the piston to the top of the bore works quite well too - then you can vacuum/clean out the ring gap easily.

[CarsOrBikes]

wide chisel works well for the worst stuff followed by scotchbrite, never emery cloth

[227bhp]

OP is a serial offender.

[Mr MXT]

227bhp said:

OP is a serial offender.

?