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Author Topic: How to clean block deck?  (Read 5546 times)

July 29, 2011, 09:42:52 am

92EcoDiesel Jetta

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How to clean block deck?
« on: July 29, 2011, 09:42:52 am »
What's the best way to clean the block surface in preparation for a head gasket install? Bear in mind that the block is in the car so can't put it in a hot tank or parts washer afterwards.
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Reply #1July 29, 2011, 11:27:43 am

CRSMP5

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2011, 11:27:43 am »
i use a die grinder fitted with scotch bright pad...
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Reply #2July 29, 2011, 01:22:57 pm

Mark(The Miser)UK

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2011, 01:22:57 pm »
Quote from: CRSMP5 on July 29, 2011, 11:27:43 am
i use a die grinder fitted with scotch bright pad...

Scotch brite is too abrasive IMO, use a piece of brass, or mild steel
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Mark-The-Miser-UK

"There's nothing like driving past a bonfire and then realising; its my car on fire!"

I'm not here to help... I'm here to Pro-Volke"

Be like meeee: drive a Quantum TD
 ...The best work-horse after the cart...
Reply #3July 29, 2011, 05:41:56 pm

dl_sledding

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2011, 05:41:56 pm »
Really? Scotch Brite is too abrasive?

CRSMPS, you mean the plasticky, rough pad, not the steel wool, right?  Like this stuff:

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Reply #4July 29, 2011, 06:56:12 pm

theman53

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2011, 06:56:12 pm »
On a die grinder he means these



Not too abrasive if you can get the super fine. Maybe ok with the very fine. But nothing coarser. Even the very fine is capable of radiusing the corners of water passages and making leaks if you aren't careful.
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Reply #5July 29, 2011, 07:39:43 pm

Mark(The Miser)UK

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2011, 07:39:43 pm »
Quote from: dl_sledding on July 29, 2011, 05:41:56 pm
Really? Scotch Brite is too abrasive?

CRSMPS, you mean the plasticky, rough pad, not the steel wool, right?  Like this stuff:


I think that plastic is a misnomer, I think that's harder than steel wool. Having said that, the fine scratches will probably help the gasket bond.
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Mark-The-Miser-UK

"There's nothing like driving past a bonfire and then realising; its my car on fire!"

I'm not here to help... I'm here to Pro-Volke"

Be like meeee: drive a Quantum TD
 ...The best work-horse after the cart...
Reply #6July 29, 2011, 10:23:59 pm

CRSMP5

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2011, 10:23:59 pm »
been using red round ones for 25+ years... even on head surface... if you worry.. do it on block.. then use same pad on head.. it is much more worn in that order.. and simple.. do not sit in 1 area too long.. your just cleaning it up... :D not decking the block/head.. and honestly.. you would really have to work at it on the block to screw it up...

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Reply #7July 31, 2011, 06:56:12 am

maxfax

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2011, 06:56:12 am »
I'm with ya CRSMPS but, you'd be surprised what those little discs can grind..  That being said I've used them cautiously if I'm going to be using a fiber gasket..   With a MLS, no way!
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Reply #8July 31, 2011, 03:09:10 pm

92EcoDiesel Jetta

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2011, 03:09:10 pm »
I don't have air tools here or those Scotchbrite pads. I do have a scrap piece of1/2 thick Lexan 4"x8" so I taped a piece of 400 grit wet dry paper to it for a sanding block.


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Reply #9July 31, 2011, 03:11:28 pm

92EcoDiesel Jetta

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #9 on: July 31, 2011, 03:11:28 pm »
« Last Edit: August 01, 2011, 01:38:47 pm by 92EcoDiesel Jetta »
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Reply #10July 31, 2011, 03:19:56 pm

92EcoDiesel Jetta

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #10 on: July 31, 2011, 03:19:56 pm »
I hope 400 grit is not too coarse. I used WD40 as a lube/cleaner.

before
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Reply #11July 31, 2011, 03:25:33 pm

92EcoDiesel Jetta

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2011, 03:25:33 pm »
Cleaned up really well.

After
« Last Edit: August 01, 2011, 01:40:01 pm by 92EcoDiesel Jetta »
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Reply #12August 01, 2011, 01:42:25 pm

92EcoDiesel Jetta

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2011, 01:42:25 pm »
Sorry, it seems I posted the same pics twice, twice! Couldn't see it I was on my phone on the WAP site. Fixed!
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Reply #13August 01, 2011, 11:00:52 pm

CRSMP5

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #13 on: August 01, 2011, 11:00:52 pm »
scotch brite lot less harsh then 400 grit.. :P

how did you clean the head??
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Reply #14August 02, 2011, 12:11:45 am

92EcoDiesel Jetta

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Re: How to clean block deck?
« Reply #14 on: August 02, 2011, 12:11:45 am »
I used the same 400 grit sanding block on the head after using it on the block.

I've read that cylinder heads on performance engine are finished to RA 50. I did a search for RA 50 and came up with a table of stainless steel surface finish in this thread:

http://www.finishing.com/98/42.shtml

Per the table, RA 50 is around 130 US grit, so the 400 grit I used is not too coarse, but too fine.

I assume you do not want a super smooth surface on the head and block such that the head gasket can slide around against but rather a coarser surface like 130 grit to "bite" into the head gasket. I am just theorizing so forgive me and set me straight if I am wrong.



Quote from: CRSMP5 on August 01, 2011, 11:00:52 pm
scotch brite lot less harsh then 400 grit.. :P

how did you clean the head??
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