Author Topic: Scratches from gasket removing--Finally updated with Pics! (Read 11539 times)

elquenada · « **on:** November 15, 2009, 05:25:16 AM »

Removing the gasket reminents from my cylinder head and cylinders has turned into much more of a saga than I ever had imagined. Ive been using Permatex gasket remover and a razor blade with less than desireable results. I also tried using this yellow 3m bristle disk chucked up in a drill: http://www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/abrasives/3m_finishing.htm To my surprise the 3m disk seemed to be a little too abrasive and it left some fine surface scratches.

im not even done yet and think Ive already scratched up the surface pretty bad. How deep does a scratch have to be before it can be problematic? Is there any way to smooth these out or should I be looking into having it machined flat?

Finally some pics! I had a crazy week at work could not even think abut this project until today. anyway here are some pics I took late yesterday. I tried to choose the pics that best represent the way head looks although truthfully I think the lighting is a little misleading; it makes some of the scratches/nicks seem much deeper. At this point im thinking i may just have it resurfaced although im not really sure cause a lot of these scratches were already lurking beneath the gasket and the head was not leaking that bad to begin with:

754 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2009, 08:32:27 AM »

If they are not deep you are probably fine, that is the gaskets job, to fill irregularites and seal.

A slightly rough suface holds a gasket beter than a slippery smooth one.

elquenada · « **Reply #2 on:** November 15, 2009, 08:41:07 AM »

thanks for the reply. Ive been looking through the forum at some older posts and I think I may be overthinking things once again. From what I can tell in some of the pictures Ive seen, the light surface scratches I have left behind are really less severe than I originally had thought.

mystic_1 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2009, 08:43:36 AM »

The orientation and depth of the scratches makes a difference. Scratches that run across the surface and go all the way from the oil side of the surface to the dry side are the most problematic as they will create a passage for oil to seep out of. Scratches that run parallel to the mating surface are less of a problem as are scratches that don't go all the way across the surface.

I dress irregularities in mating surfaces with a fine whetstone.

mystic_1

B.O.X.N.I.F.E. · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2009, 11:33:40 AM »

I was in the very same situation after using a brush that was a little too abrasive on my 550 head. I ditched the Vesrah head gasket and picked up a Honda one (not sure which you were planning on using) and have had no problems in many miles.

Just go with your better judgement, or post some pictures for us.

elquenada · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2009, 12:46:34 PM »

Quote from: mystic_1 on November 15, 2009, 08:43:36 AM

I dress irregularities in mating surfaces with a fine whetstone.

mystic_1

thanks for the info. when using the fine whetstone do you smooth out the whole surface or just the areas where the scratches appear. Would it also be possible to address these with a liquid sealer of some kind?

elquenada · « **Reply #6 on:** November 15, 2009, 12:47:27 PM »

Quote from: B.O.X.N.I.F.E. on November 15, 2009, 11:33:40 AM

I was in the very same situation after using a brush that was a little too abrasive on my 550 head. I ditched the Vesrah head gasket and picked up a Honda one (not sure which you were planning on using) and have had no problems in many miles.

Just go with your better judgement, or post some pictures for us.

i am using a vesrah kit. is it really that inferior?

75750SS · « **Reply #7 on:** November 15, 2009, 01:14:20 PM »

I use the Vesrah with Permatex gasket copper spray and haven't had any issues.
I don't baby it either. Merging on to the freeway WOT all the time.

mystic_1 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 15, 2009, 01:31:33 PM »

Quote from: elquenada on November 15, 2009, 12:46:34 PM

Quote from: mystic_1 on November 15, 2009, 08:43:36 AM

I dress irregularities in mating surfaces with a fine whetstone.

mystic_1

thanks for the info. when using the fine whetstone do you smooth out the whole surface or just the areas where the scratches appear. Would it also be possible to address these with a liquid sealer of some kind?

I use this for little dings and gouges, so just a few inches on either side, really. You could do the whole thing, if you need to, I suppose. Use lots of oil with the stone, go slow and be sure to keep the stone level with the surface. Watch out for the corners and edges of the stone, they can gouge.

mystic_1

elquenada · « **Reply #9 on:** November 15, 2009, 02:38:37 PM »

Quote from: 75750SS on November 15, 2009, 01:14:20 PM

I use the Vesrah with Permatex gasket copper spray and haven't had any issues.
I don't baby it either. Merging on to the freeway WOT all the time.

im curious why you use the gasket spray? did you use it on all of your gaskets or just the head gasket? i thought the gaskets were supposed to go on dry.

gregimotis · « **Reply #10 on:** November 15, 2009, 07:46:55 PM »

I used an Emgo kit plus copper sealant and got leaks. Then used a Honda gasket dry and had none. Dry is the instruction in the manual, dry is the advice I got on the forum. I decided to go dry as an act of faith and it worked out.

It seems like gasket + sealant would be better...

B.O.X.N.I.F.E. · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2009, 12:06:24 PM »

Quote from: elquenada on November 15, 2009, 12:47:27 PM

Quote from: B.O.X.N.I.F.E. on November 15, 2009, 11:33:40 AM
I was in the very same situation after using a brush that was a little too abrasive on my 550 head. I ditched the Vesrah head gasket and picked up a Honda one (not sure which you were planning on using) and have had no problems in many miles.

Just go with your better judgement, or post some pictures for us.

i am using a vesrah kit. is it really that inferior?

I think the Vesrah is the better of all the kits out there right now, but the head gaskets seem to be the sticking point for a lot of people. The rest of the kit is fine, but on a head with a not so perfect deck surface you're better off with the OEM. But, I would agree with the spray on copper gasket sealer recommendation if you go with the Vesrah head gasket. Really, if you'll post a picture it'll help. Do you have surface marks or gouges?

elquenada · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2009, 04:57:16 PM »

I have quite a few marks on the surface. I will post some pics later in the week. a shop in NJ said they would resurface for $60 so I may just go with that option but Im not sure yet.

mystic_1 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 16, 2009, 05:08:26 PM »

That may be a good way to go, regardless of the scratches. Nice flat surfaces make for leak-free motors

mystic_1

75750SS · « **Reply #14 on:** November 16, 2009, 06:45:21 PM »

The reason for my using the copper spray was to fill in the minor scratches from removing the previous gasket. The can says "also fills minor irregularities and is especially effective in sealing nonabsorbent surfaces." sounded good so I used it.
Just remember to torque the head down correctly because even the best gasket will fail if it isn't. I torqued the head only 2/3 then let it sit over night finishing the job in the morning. A tip I picked up from this forum.

good luck!

elquenada · « **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2009, 06:46:24 AM »

ok. im bumping this post cause I just edited the original and added some pixs.

mystic_1 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 22, 2009, 07:00:37 AM »

OK those scratches are very minor, in fact they look to be less than the marks that can be left behind after machining. I'd say you have little to worry about. You do, of course, need to remove the remainder of the old gasket material but the scratches I'm seeing wouldn't concern me too much.

That said, resurfacing will not only remove this concern but will guarantee that your mating surface is 100% flat (ie not warped) and that is equally important. So if it's in your budget, go ahead and have it done otherwise copper spray would probably take care of it.

mystic_1

elquenada · « **Reply #17 on:** November 22, 2009, 07:22:09 AM »

great thanks for taking a look.

SOHC/4 Owners Club Forums

News: