Head and base gasket prep - how clean is clean

[Guest]

First time inside an engine this far. Learning a lot. Cleaning the barrels, not sure how much scrubbing / dremeling / chemicals, etc., to do on the gasket surfaces, top and bottom. I know this isn't near done, but it seems like the metal is intentionally roughened up in those areas? Or is it just age and a 40 year old gasket? How smooth should it get? I don't want to damage the surfaces.

Note - not the best picture. Some of the surface is still wet.

Thanks, Dan

barrels.jpg

[Big T]

Those surfaces are not smooth
Lots of people use a Rolock for that
Think scotchbrite as a drill attachement
Or a plastic paint removing disc

[GregT]

Those surfaces are not smooth
Lots of people use a Rolock for that
Think scotchbrite as a drill attachement
Or a plastic paint removing disc

Please don't use anything powered to clean the gasket surfaces. A sharp blade gently used to remove any gasket left - then scotchbrite used wet and again gently to leave the surfaces dead clean.

[winmag4582001]

I personally use a long 600 grit sanding block for gasket surfaces when doing garage rebuilds. 3M makes a 10" hard foam block that I've grown to love for prepping surfaces. Just don't sand low spots into the surface.
I also use copper gasket coating on the gaskets before I reassemble. Helps hold gaskets in place and seal.

[madmikeracing]

Embedding silicone carborundum particulate in you're gasket surfaces may not be wise. The grit is extremely hard. Perhaps a chemical Gasket remover and Razor scraper followed by n]bit WD-40 and small flat honing Stone? Or maybe doesn't matter depends if you're Fussy .

[Nessism]

A light machine shop skim looks to be in order. Not cheap but worth it.

[fastbysuzuki]

As nessism says a light skim would be good, if you intend to use genuine suzuki gaskets would recommend at the very least for the head,base and the orings (tear drop & barrels) the new head gaskets are multilayered steel and require a decent finish on barrels and head. Check you head for distortion I think the max is .008" across the length less is better.
if you use the multilayered steel gasket you do not use the cam tunnel oring

[portdave]

As others have said, I had a machine shop do a light skim when I did my 850. Well worth it.

[Dan]

Thanks everyone - so the gasket surfaces need to be as smooth and clean as the rest of it- will keep at it, gently.

[Steve]

... if you use the multilayered steel gasket you do not use the cam tunnel oring

Thank you for that statement.

My first time through, I had no idea and installed the o-ring. Had to take the top end apart for a different reason and found that o-ring SEVERELY distorted and out of place. The MLS gasket seems to seal that area without the o-ring, so I sent PMs to a couple of forum members whom I thought would know whether the o-ring was necessary or not, but got responses that I felt were a bit less than satisfactory.

It's nice to know that I will NOT need to install one when I get the head back from the machine shop, where it's getting a light skim.

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[alke46]

I understand difference between shops and localities, but generally speaking, what is the price range for a light skim?
$50-100, higher or lower?

[Dan]

...
if you use the multilayered steel gasket you do not use the cam tunnel oring

Ok - that's good to know. Is the "multilayered steel gasket" something different than OEM? (Which I was planning on using as I've read the forum comments.)

Thanks for the heads up.

Dan

[Steve]

I understand difference between shops and localities, but generally speaking, what is the price range for a light skim?
$50-100, higher or lower?

The shop I have gone to charges $45 per surface. I think that's reasonable.

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[alke46]

The shop I have gone to charges $45 per surface. I think that's reasonable.

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I think that's a pretty good price to have it done with such precision.

[Steve]

I think that's a pretty good price to have it done with such precision.

You must be remembering the picture that I posted last summer. Here it is again, for everyone else to enjoy.



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