Removing old gasket from head and block

[psyguy]

whatever you use to remove the old stuff, you might want to consider planing the mating surfaces
that's going to give you a perfectly flat surface for the new gasket and reduce the possibility of any leakage (through any present deformity in the head/block mating area)
also, in the future, the gasket should come off more easily

[ron bayless]

Thanks for all the helpful tips.I have sprayed methylene cloride gasket remover on all the gasket surfaces so far,some places 6 times and the gasket paper left behind from separating the engine parts is extremely difficult to get it off.It requires much time and slow going patience.I could have had the motor back together 6 times by now.My cylinder base gasket was so intact,i regret pulling the block off now,but who knew?I will be so proud and so relieved if the motor starts and runs properly after all this.I have made some scratches on the surface,but i sure as heck am not going to get the surfaces machined.What good are gaskets if they wont compensate for very minute scratches anyway?

[Nessism]

I've always used single edge razor blades to clean off the gasket gunk. You would have to be quite ham fisted to gouge the mating surface enough to matter using them. Gasket cleaner spray is fine to use but a bit of overkill in my opinion for a flat surface.

[Surly]

Agreed

"Permatex" gasket remover worked for me. It took a few times and a lot of patience. I bought one of those gasket removal tools....never used a razer blade and let the gasket remover do most of the work. In the end a few scotchbrite pads took off the final residue. I guess I was helped the most by those who advised to take it easy with the scrapers and pads and stuff. Very easy.

Permatex Gasket Remover is great. I've used it for years with great results. Be very careful with overspray around any painted surfaces.

[49er]

Thanks for all the helpful tips.I have sprayed methylene cloride gasket remover on all the gasket surfaces so far,some places 6 times and the gasket paper left behind from separating the engine parts is extremely difficult to get it off.It requires much time and slow going patience.I could have had the motor back together 6 times by now.My cylinder base gasket was so intact,i regret pulling the block off now,but who knew?I will be so proud and so relieved if the motor starts and runs properly after all this.I have made some scratches on the surface,but i sure as heck am not going to get the surfaces machined.What good are gaskets if they wont compensate for very minute scratches anyway?

I use a flat metal bladed scraper (old wallpaper remover) with the blade edge slightly dulled. This reduces the chances of the edge digging into the aluminium surface. The odd light scratch left is easily filled/sealed by the new gasket.
Head and block surfaces should both be checked for bowing. An engine with 33,000 mls will have some deviation on these surfaces.
I only re-surface mine, when they are more than 0.004 in out of true.

The head on my 850 had 0.002 in bow and the block had 0.0015 in.
I am running 10.5-1 CR (180psi), with no gasket leaks.

[ron bayless]

thanks 49 er,a wall paper scraper,not thats something i will definitely check into.You guys are great.