Head gasket replacement - block?

[Hypr5]

Hey guys,

In the process of the head gasket replacement, but have a quick question.
How clean does the block have to be? Every picture I've seen online looks like a freshly resurfaced block, but obviously, I have no way to get it THAT perfect. I have the obvious gasket material residue around the passages, but they are scraped / cleaned / lightly lightly sanded to the point that even though I can see them, they aren't raised enough to feel by hand or even with the razor blade. Is this okay? Or does it have to be completely fresh looking?

Thanks!

[BigKriss]

there some information here

http://www.bimmernut.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31148&highlight=headgasket

[Ross]

A good way to prepare the block surface is with an abrasive pad like Scotchbrite, with some light oil like WD40. 3M sells small discs of it on an arbor to chuck in a drill. Stuff rags in the bores and clean everything with solvent before assembly.

[Hypr5]

Thank you for the replies.

I've got a clear understanding of how to do the job, and I personally feel that I cleaned it sufficiently, but am hoping for a "That sounds good" or a "That sounds like it needs more cleaning" by my description of where it stands now.

Also, I have heard that you are not supposed to use any sealer on the head gasket, but some have. Are there any problems because of using it or not using it?

[Hypr5]

are small scratches from the mill smooth file okay? I have a few areas that are lightly scratched. my guess is its fine, but hoping for opinions from the more experienced.

[BigKriss]

take some pictures for us

[Jeff in MN]

Thank you for the replies.

I've got a clear understanding of how to do the job, and I personally feel that I cleaned it sufficiently, but am hoping for a "That sounds good" or a "That sounds like it needs more cleaning" by my description of where it stands now.

Also, I have heard that you are not supposed to use any sealer on the head gasket, but some have. Are there any problems because of using it or not using it?

I just finished installing my head this weekend. As far as cleaning the block goes, I used a softer wire brush on my drill and it took off that gasket residue pretty quickly. Got down to clean metal all the way around.

[Hypr5]

take some pictures for us

Here ya go!
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6149/dscf1363tp1.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf1363tp1.jpg)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1936/dscf1364mi7.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf1364mi7.jpg)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9435/dscf1365by2.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf1365by2.jpg)

The pictures make it look MUCH worse than it really is. wow

[BigKriss]

it looks okay to me, but i've only done one headgsket though

[Jeff in MN]

Here ya go!
http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/6149/dscf1363tp1.th.jpg (http://img341.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf1363tp1.jpg)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/1936/dscf1364mi7.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf1364mi7.jpg)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9435/dscf1365by2.th.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf1365by2.jpg)

The pictures make it look MUCH worse than it really is. wow

holes between the cylinders. Oil comes up thru those into the head and you don't want a piece of debris clogging the small holes around the lifters.

[Hypr5]

holes between the cylinders. Oil comes up thru those into the head and you don't want a piece of debris clogging the small holes around the lifters.

Oh. thanks!
I'll vaccuum them with a shop vac and a straw and hope nothing fell in there already!

So the minor scratches look small enough to not have to worry? :)

Thanks so much everybody! :D

[Hypr5]

its all going back together today. excited to get this car back on the road! the 540 has a drinking problem!