Cleaning the head mating surface

[C4ME]

I have my heads off (had a valve job and they look great BTW) and am ready to reinstall. I am trying to clean the surface of the block face and have a black burntish color that does not seem to want to budge with mineral spirits and elbow grease using a very soft steel wool. Any suggestions for getting this puppy shiny metal that does not require taking the motor to a machine shop for cleaning?

Thanks in advance.
Joe

 

[Jeb]

Is there some reason you want the block surface to be shiney "like-new" metal? I can't think of any way that can be had short of taking the engine to a machine shop and have them mill it down a hair. That's a pretty expensive deal if you're not going into the way-up-there horsepower numbers and if they mill it down much at all, you'll have mating problems with the intake manifold once it's back together.

If it were me, I'd not worry about what it looks like as long as it's true and clean.

 

[BlackNBlue95]

Is there some reason you want the block surface to be shiney "like-new" metal? I can't think of any way that can be had short of taking the engine to a machine shop and have them mill it down a hair. That's a pretty expensive deal if you're not going into the way-up-there horsepower numbers and if they mill it down much at all, you'll have mating problems with the intake manifold once it's back together.

If it were me, I'd not worry about what it looks like as long as it's true and clean.

Exactly! as long as all the gasket material is off do not worry about discoloration of the metal.
-=Rick

 

[C4ME]

Relief

Thanks for the info, I was not sure if that was the true meaning of "clean." I am a bit of a literalist so that was driving me nuts. I have the material off and will begin reassemble soon!

Thanks
Joe

 

[vette-dude]

I always use a semi coarse knife sharpening stone and run it over the block surfaces prior to installation of the heads. You are not trying to make the block shiny just trying to make sure the headbolt holes and block deck do not have any raised ridges. I also chase all the headbolt threads. Use a light oil when chasing the threads and a combination of degreaser and oil when using the stone. Clean with brake cleaner or lacquer thinner when you are done and install heads. Just my $.02.

Randy

 

[wishuwerehere82]

I just used a scotchbrite pad to remove the black stuff and laquer thinner to degrease everything before assembly.

 

[354RwHpLT4CE]

scotchbrite

I just used a scotchbrite pad to remove the black stuff and laquer thinner to degrease everything before assembly.

Ditto on the scotchbrite,even if its on a die grinder,a blue or grey scotchbrite disc will be ok.Just dont get carried away with it.