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IMPORTANT

Back to GASKET REMOVAL METHODS

PLEASE DO NOT USE ROTARY DISK TYPE SCOTCH-BRITE SURFACE PREP PADS (IE:ROLEX, WIZZER) FOR REMOVAL OF GASKET MATERIAL.

PER THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE FROM MOTOR SERVICE MAGAZINE

plug dtnin and supply holes punched in the gasket, impede heat transter, make a gasket stick and tear. or sotten the gasket'.; surface enough to cause prLmature failure. In engine sealing, the mark ofan expert is decidedly not a big wad of hardened silicone ;yucezed out of everyjoint, but proper preparation of sealing surfaces.

Metal mangling

Speaking ot surface prep, the use of 3M-style abrasive disks for cleaning them is an absolute no-no. Contrary to popular belief, even the new designs with the   abrasive encapsulated in plastic are not safe and will destroy an engine. Clearances are ti«hter today than ever before. and even the slightest silicate contamination in the oil will wipe out a set or bearings. Plus, abrasive disks will remove significant amounts of metal. They'll even do ajob on cast iron (if you doubt this, grab an old rotor and your disc cleaning tool and lean into it--the flying ;parks show you what's happening). They are especially bud about removing mctal trom around holes. creating a aonc;tve depression. Use a scraper and chemical gasket removers.

I've done forensics on several destroyed engines over the years, engines that had had m;lior work done on them shortly before losing the bottom end. In nearly every case, oil analysis revealed abrasives or contaminants. An extra half hour of clean-up is a small price to pay compared to buying a customer a

complete engine.

Abrasive disks are great for cleaning lots of things - as long as they're not engines. Bad juju.

THESE PADS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH A DRILL OR DIE-GRINDER - *WILL REMOVE BLOCK OR HEAD MATERIAL* PARTICULARLY ON ALUMINUM, THIS WILL CREATE LOW AREAS AND AN UNEVEN SURFACE. WHICH WILL LIKELY RESULT IN GASKET FAILURE.

THE PREFERRED METHOD FOR GASKET REMOVAL WOULD BE TO USE A RAZOR BLADE TYPE SCRAPPER FOLLOWED BY A FLAT SURFACE SANDING PAD (NON-ROTARY TYPE) OR SHARPENING STONE.