cleaning off old valve cover gaskets

[Guest minkos]

hello, checking to see what is the cleanest way to clean/remove the old cork valve cover gaskets off the valve covers and the heads. i've pried up most of the gasket carefully in big pieces, but i'm particularly concerned about cleaning the remnants off the heads, since i want to keep the crud, dust, etc. from contaminating the engine. thanks

Mark Andrilla

BCA 14421

[gearhead]

I have found that a wood chisel works best for scraping off gasket material. Razor blades are just too sharp and can damage aluminum and puts some deep scratches in stamped steel.

Put shop towels on the inboard side of the heads and scrape away. Either carefully remove the towels after you are done or use your shop vac to get out the pieces.

I've heard of using some sorts of penetrating oils or carburetor cleaner to remove gaskets, but the old elbow grease is the only sure cure.

[Guest NikeAjax]

Not to sound like an old-fart, but that's part of "being in the club", the guy who really works on his own machine, as opposed to having someone else do it for you. Yeah, shop-vac every time: I kinda like a not overly sharp wood chisel; you get a handle to use as opposed to a razor blade that will leave you with sore/raw fingertips that take two days to stop aching, @$#%*&!!!!! I've also been known to use a little 60-grit sand paper when I just couldn't get the baked gunk off. I've done it on 392-Hemi's that feel like you're doing it for a week on each. Pity the person that has a question for you while you're doing it, they may get to see how fast you can throw a wrench.

Once when I was prepping my '59 Rambler for paint, I had a six-year old, from down the street, tell me that "people" don't paint cars, "Beat it kid, yer mother's callin' ya..."

Remember, just be patient with yourself, but most of all, it's just a car, and not a person!

Jaybird

[rick60]

I have a creepy kid around the corner that just stares at me when out working on the cars. It's not a curious stare, it's evil. My wife calls him the "devil child". If you say hello to him he just scowls at you. In a few years he'll probably be setting garages in the neighborhood on fire!

[Bhigdog]

I have a creepy kid around the corner that just stares at me when out working on the cars. It's not a curious stare, it's evil. My wife calls him the "devil child". If you say hello to him he just scowls at you. In a few years he'll probably be setting garages in the neighborhood on fire!

Or be selling repro items for MoPars..................Bob

[Guest minkos]

it definitely helps to have the garage behind the house and a couple of daily drivers in the driveway blocking the view if you prefer working without an audience.

[Guest NikeAjax]

I was tempted to post some images from Edward Gorey:

Edward Gorey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But then I realized it might be too threatening to some... he has such a wonderfully dark sense of humor. Perhaps said demon-child just doesn't get enough fiber: SNORT!

Jaybird

[Seldenguy]

Go to your nearest auto parts store and buy a good quality gasket scraper. They are the best tool for what you are doing. No auto parts store,then go to your local garage and ask when the Mac or Snap on tool man visits them either one will have the tool you need.--Bob

Edited May 4, 2010 by Seldenguy (see edit history)

[Guest minkos]

a gasket scraper, 80 grit paper, and the shop vac with the crevice attachment did the trick. thanks all.

[Bill Stoneberg]

I had a kid across the street who used to like to come around and try to scare me when I had my head uner the hood. He tried it one time too many and I "escorted" him back to his daddy with the understanding that until he grew up, he was not welcome in my driveway.

Tried it one more time when I had a hose in my hand and he got soaked.

Rotten little rat, I am glad I moved.

[Guest RM41]

My two cents worth; several of you have mentioned a troubled kid or "brat" bothering you, when I was very young I was such a kid for various reasons including my father traveled alot and I needed a "guy" to hang with. We had a neighbor who had old cars and was always working on them, after several "visits" from me, he started giving me various projects to do such as sanding, cleaning, holding wrenches etc., that man made a huge differance and impact on my life and I'm forever grateful to him.

[Bhigdog]

Not so sure the 80 grit was a good idea. The abrasive grains are large and break off the paper backing easily. I don't think they would vacuum up easily once they landed on an oily surface. No reason the gasketed surface has to be shiny clean anyway. There is no pressure and the new cork gasket will seal a multitude of imperfections.........Bob