Preparing block surface for new head gasket

[sam1drake]

What is a good way to clean the block gasket surface for a new head gasket with the engiine in the car?

Also --- any thoughts on head gasket suppliers. Should I stick with Ford or are other sources just as good? Other sources are certainly cheaper.

Thanks

[way2old]

Depends on what tools you have to work with. If there is no compressed air, use sharp scrapers and finish with either really fine sandpaper or emery cloth. If compressed air is available, use red abrasive disc from 3M. Fel-Pro is a good gasket.

[sam1drake]

Originally Posted by way2old

Depends on what tools you have to work with. If there is no compressed air, use sharp scrapers and finish with either really fine sandpaper or emery cloth. If compressed air is available, use red abrasive disc from 3M. Fel-Pro is a good gasket.

Talked with a man at Carquest whom I knew had spent many years as a mechanic. I overheard him talking about taking care of overheated engines. He said that he uses a long bastard file dipped in kerosene held diagonaly across gasket face and pulled along the length of the block. Keeping the file wetted with kerosene keeps the file from filling up and causes it to do a more uniform job. Since I was worried about the grit in emerycloth (had no idea of how much tolerence the cylinders would have to the dust) I did what he advised. The engine was in the car and I just did not have a good way to wash it out. I suspect a good vacuuming would have worked fine.

I have run the car on runabout trips for the last few days and it seems to be doing alright. But I will probably always be worried about that head gasket holding seal with the visible scrape marks on the block. How long and under what conditions can I consider the car as having a reasonable shot at. Do I need to take it out after a little more settling in and "blow out the cobwebs"

I am going to get some of the dye you mentioned and put it in before I do any stress testing.

I am now familiar with where all the wires and vacuum connections go so would have a much better chance at diagnosing and fixing any future problems. It would be a shame if the gasket doesn't hold up. I don't believe I would do the job again unless I have access to a shop with a lift, and a buddy to help. I AM way too old for this.