How to clean this old gasket off the head?

[padge]

I’m in the process of installing my wiseguy 2-1 intake manifold and the old carb manifolds left these gasket remains. I tried carb cleaner and acetone but neither made much difference. Is it safe to use a razor or gasket scraper?

 

[Dom]

Paint stripper

 

[jetmechmarty]

Paint stripper

What @Dom said.

I followed paint stripper with a razor blade on the last gasket I removed a couple weeks ago.

 

[jpdevol]

Is it safe to use a razor or gasket scraper?

Depends on who's pushing it

Seriously, I think you're in to gasket scraper land there, the chemicals can help soften, but those look particularly stubborn

 

[bosco659]

Depends on who's pushing it

Seriously, I think you're in to gasket scraper land there, the chemicals can help soften, but those look particularly stubborn
View attachment 241194

I need to get a scraper like this ^. Although my scrapers are purpose built for the task, most of mine look like a HD putty knife.

 

[padge]

Thanks fellas! I borrowed some paint stripper to try out tomorrow, and have a fresh razor ready at the sidelines. I'll post an update once she's all cleaned up.

 

[5twins]

It may take several applications to get all of the gasket off but it works well. Only scrape what has softened then reapply more stripper. I have a nice little gasket scraper but also often use a couple old, small knives .....

 

[padge]

The paint stripper and razor worked nicely! A bit tedious though as it took about 6 cycles of applying the stripper and removing what it softened. I still managed to scratch the damn metal which I wanted to avoid… oh well. At about the third cycle I figured out that moving the razor side to side helped slice into the gasket nicer than just pushing forward.

Thanks again for the suggestions .

 

[bosco659]

The paint stripper and razor worked nicely! A bit tedious though as it took about 6 cycles of applying the stripper and removing what it softened. I still managed to scratch the damn metal which I wanted to avoid… oh well. At about the third cycle I figured out that moving the razor side to side helped slice into the gasket nicer than just pushing forward.

Thanks again for the suggestions .

Removing the scratches shouldn’t be that difficult with a good flat file or when you put the new gaskets on you can apply some sealant to prevent vacuum leaks. Is the head on the engine right now?

 

[AUTOMAN]

Where did ya get the stripper?

cliff

 

[toglhot]

Bead blasting or a plastic scraper. Just sharpen an old plastic ruler.

 

[5twins]

Guess I should have mentioned - you need to let the stripper soak for 10 minutes or so before scraping. That allows it to penetrate into and soften the gasket remnants.

 

[padge]

@bosco659 - The head is on the engine and the engine is on the bike. Yeah I figured I could pick up some Yamabond or similar to try if I notice symptoms of a leak.

@5twins - I did let it soak before I tried scraping. I think some of those scratches were me getting impatient..

@AUTOMAN - I used an old can of "Circa 1850 Heavy Body Paint and Varnish Remover". Maybe I should have opted for something newer/better.

@toglhot - Yeah, would have been a good idea to try plastic first and see if that worked. Then brass like the Motion Pro scraper @jpdevol showed.

 

[Jan_P]

Not read through ..but since it is a plane Surface a flat metal bar with carborundum paper on it can perhaps be used
These come with different abrasive capability