Cleaning A Block?

[Hudson]

Doing a headgasket job on my 1999 Jeep Cherokee (XJ.)

Never did one before, and i simply have one question.

What is the recommended way to clean the old head gasket gunk off the block?

Thanks!

Topic

[619DioFan]

If you have a compressor then an angle die grinder with a rol-loc disc is the fastest way. if working on a v-8 I recommend using cardboard or strong masking paper to cover the lifter valley to keep debris out. any debris that fall into the cylinder bores can be removed with a shop vac or blown out with compressed air. always use the finest grit disc possible ( be extra carefull if an aluminum block ) no compressor – then a good gasket scraper and some elbow grease. clean the surface with brake clean after gasket removal.

[college man]

[quote=”619DioFan” post=52627]If you have a compressor then an angle die grinder with a rol-loc disc is the fastest way. if working on a v-8 I recommend using cardboard or strong masking paper to cover the lifter valley to keep debris out. any debris that fall into the cylinder bores can be removed with a shop vac or blown out with compressed air. always use the finest grit disc possible ( be extra carefull if an aluminum block ) no compressor – then a good gasket scraper and some elbow grease. clean the surface with brake clean after gasket removal.[/quote]

#1 😉

[EricTheCarGuy]

I would first make sure that taking the cylinder head off will actually fix the problem. The most important part of a repair is to verify the problem.

That said, I also use a roloc disc on an angle die grinder when cleaning cast iron.

[Hudson]

I pulled the head off and sent it to a local machine shop. They verified that my head was indeed cracked.

Thankfully for me I caught it early and my oil pressure is still good and my engine bearings aren’t fried.

I cleaned the head off with an angle grinder with like a Brillo pad on it. Worked perfect. I then used brake clean on the head and used a Brillo pad to finish cleaning it off.

When I install the new headgasket should I install it dry or use like a shellac on it?

Any special tips? This is my first time ever taking on something this big.

:cheers:

[Author]

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