Head gasket engine block surface prep

[fairladyz432]

I need some help figuring out whether or not my engine block is cleaned enough for the head to be reinstalled back on the engine block. I tried pretty much what i can to prep the surface of the engine block and just need some help with those who already went through this install. So far i got most of the old gasket gunk off but there are some spots here and there that still remain. I have some acetone ready to use in hopes of removing some of the left over material. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. 

[siteunseen]

Looks good to me. If you can run a putty knife over the surface without it getting hung up it's clean just discolored. 

[grannyknot]

Those just look like stains and won't affect the new HG, have you checked the block deck and cylinder head to be sure they are flat?

[26th-Z]

Yes, acetone with one of those green scotch-brite sponges.  Put paper towels in the cylinders so that you won't spill acetone down into the cylinders.  Use a Permatex gasket sealant like their copper gasket spray.  Get the two surfaces as clean as you can.

[240260280]

Remember to chase all of the bolt holes and clean them thoroughly. 

You can do it in these steps:

1. Pour solvent in each bolt hole then use a wire gun barrel brush or similar.

2. Run bottoming tap to chase threads

3. Brake cleaner sprayed into the bottom of the bolt hole with a shop rag muffling the top of the hole.

After that, wire brush the head bolt threads, oil them, then test in each hole. Be sure to oil the washers too.

 

[fairladyz432]

Ok great responses, i did run a razor over the spots and did not catch  so it looks like it is discoloration. I also used a thread chaser to clean out the threads and went in and out smoothly with out any issues (might run it through a second time just to be safe). I recently got my head rebuilt so it is for sure flat according to the machine shop. As for the engine block i didn't check for flatness since it ran pretty good prior to the head rebuild and i just cleaned off the old gunk with a 3m white bristle roloc disc lightly. Ill update this thread as i go but looks like a promising step forward to getting it all assembled back again. 

 

Is it recommended you spray copper gasket onto the oem headgasket before installing? some sources say its not necessary but i guess it wouldn't hurt to have extra sealing. 

Edited August 10, 2018 by fairladyz432

[grannyknot]

3 hours ago, fairladyz432 said:

Is it recommended you spray copper gasket onto the oem headgasket before installing? some sources say its not necessary but i guess it wouldn't hurt to have extra sealing.  

We were just talking about this the other day, the consensus was dry.

 

[fairladyz432]

yeah it make sense, dry should be more then adequate if done properly.