Best way to remove old gaskets material

[Guest]

Hey, what is be way to remove the old stuck on gasket material? I can see that there is a little groove and I don't want to damage it. Thanks.

[Nessism]

Permatex gasket remover works well. Spray it in a cup and dab it on with an acid brush or similar. Give it 15 mins. to work and then scrape away. May take several applications.

[giganticflying]

Is there no other way? It just seems like paper, but it's pretty stuck on there.

[koolaid_kid]

Ed knows what he is talking about. Please listen to him.

[OriginalOwner]

A flat razor blade, patience and a steady hand.

Keep it flat and be careful not to gouge or shave the (soft) metal.

[JEEPRUSTY]

Gack a razor. May work but think of the blood.

I use gasket remover for all my gasket removal chores.

[azr]

Isn't this just your valve cover gasket you are trying to take off? It shouldn't be that stuck. But you've got some good advise already.

[Big T]

Hey, what is be way to remove the old stuck on gasket material? I can see that there is a little groove and I don't want to damage it. Thanks.

Gasket remover or paint remover, as Ed said

The groove isn't critical

Are you still messing with the carbs?

I thought you dipped them 2 weeks ago

[giganticflying]

I'll pick up some gasket cleaner today.

I have to pause the project for a minute. The first week of this month I moved, started school and worked all seven days. Been pretty busy, but glad I finally have some free time to finish this project.

[Gorminrider]

I use a putty knife. Wider can be better to reference flat surfaces. Narrower is also useful. Sharpen these at 90 degrees- never to a blade edge.

[JTNWEVO]

I use brass brushes. Takes a while but comes off without damage to aluminum.

[Weeksz]

I paid like 10 dollars for the permatex gasket remover and went through the whole can and am only about 30% finished-and thats only because i used a plastic puddy knife and a razor. It did nothing on my base gasket. Let it sit for a week as I worked on other things, re applied, still no dice. Hard as a rock. It must not be for paper gaskets because it didn't do jack. I wont waste my money again.

[storm 64]

I just removed my valve cover gasket last night. It was stuck on there good. I use a carpenters wood chisel. The one's that have that screwdriver type handle on it. Yes, you must be careful not to gouge the aluminum. Then I used a block with 220 sandpaper to dress everything up. I was fortunate that 95% of the gasket was stuck to the cover and not the head. Good-luck Oh, one more tip. Wear gloves.

[MrFreeze60]

I went and got a few wire brushes for my dremel and used them. I set the speed about half way, around 12K I think, and took my time, and it come off pretty easily. Took about 5 minutes per bowl. I then sprayed them real good inside and out with carb cleaner to get the residue off of them.