Removing ancient gaskets

[Gonzo]

Anyone have any tips for removing 30 yr old gasket material? I have been scraping and spraying and soaking gaskets off of my valve cover and where it seats, but there is still a fair amount of gunk left. I can't imagine it's enough to impede the new gasket seating, but I figure that since it's off I might as well clean it thouroghly. I'm not so concerned about the valve cover, that will clean up with enough elbow grease. However, the crap still near the actual valves and cam is difficult since I'm trying to keep the stuff from falling in and gumming up the works. Any trick to make it easier and/or quicker would be great (if any exist).

 

[JEEPRUSTY]

Use acetone to soften and wipe.
Then use alcohol as some materials are soluble in it and not Acetone.

Beware the metal scraper. Fashion one from a piece of hardwood and you will not worry about marring the mating surfaces.

 

[Guest]

I worked the the 650E on and off for days, literally.
It sucked but I used SEVERAL(about 30 or 40) razor blades and some kinda Gunk gasket remover.
Best I could do is a layer at a time. Soak it for a few hours then scrape, soak then scrape and so on and so on...

Just take your time and be dang sure not to gouge the aluminum. A box of new blades are a must.
I got em at Northern Tool.

Hopefully someone else has better advise.

 

[Nessism]

Been there done that too.

Gasket remover helps, only you can't spray it on or it will eat the paint and get in the engine. I recommend spraying into a cup and dabbing it on with an acid brush.

Do a little at a time and try to keep the gasket chunks out of the engine. After you are all done soak away all the oil in the valve pockets with paper towel or similar and make sure all the gasket debris is removed too.

 

[Gonzo]

Those sound like some solid tips. I feel better knowing that heavy elbow grease PLUS tricks is still required. I was worried that maybe I was screwed unless I tore it all down for a bath (which was outside of the question unless something mechanical warranted a tear down ). I'll put some of those things on my list of things to pick up at the auto parts store. I've been in there buying so much random stuff lately I'm sure they all think I'm crazy or throw a hellacious party.