Pulling my 4 cylinder engine apart on the 89 4runner, and was wondering what the experts use to remove the old engine gasket material?

Thanks.

vmax84

 

I use an air rotary tool with a soft wire spinning brush to remove it. Does not scar the surface and cleans it pretty well. Has to be soft enough that you could take your thumb or finger and rub across the wires and it won't hurt.

Don't try to use a Dremel, you need like an air tool or something that is a little larger.

EDIT: Oh yeah, spray the finished surface with some brake cleaner to clean off any kind of gasket particles or oil residue.

 

i always used a gasket scraper, which is a razor blade with a screw driver handle.

maybe that was wrong, but always worked for me, just be really really careful not to gouge the surfaces. just go real slow and easy, also soak any material that is hard stuck on with brake cleaner or the like.

 

when you are done getting it off, use acetone to get it absolutely clean

 

they make rubber gasket scrapers and sanding wheels for soft metal

 

I wonder if it would be easier to get at everything if I pull the engine. I'm replacing everything in it. Should just pull it.



vmax84

 

Here's the hog we're working (still) on:



vmax84

 

That thing looks really nice. I can't wait to get mine back on the road.

 

I use gasket remover. It comes in a spray can. It really works to loosen and disolve stubborn gasket material.

 

an old pro showed me how to hold a razor blade at a 90 degree angle and scrape back and forth. works great and doesn't gouge the surface.

 

Like stated before. The easiest, and quickest way is to use some 3m light abrasive pads or ro-loc discs and put them in a 1/4" air grinder. BAM, quick work and it turns out perfect every time. I do it everyday at the dealership I work at. If you don't have air tools well......the razorblade is really a pain in the butt, but it works.

 

I've been working on cars and bikes for more than 30 yrs and what I, have always used is a wire brush on a cordless drill followed by carb cleaner or brake cleaner. I, can clean a complete engine in aproximately an hour.

 

Razor blade to get the big chunks off, then a whetstone with some solvent as lube. Gets you a nice shiny metal surface.

 

This place is such a mountain of knowledge! Thanks again.

vmax84

 

That truck looks like it just rolled off the dealer's floor. wow.

 

Here,here on the 3M pads & angle grinder!

 

Cookies +1

 

i use a hardened steel gasket scraper. sort of like a chisel with a long handle, but the edge is very sharp. it's nice because it doesn't flex and catch on water passages and imperfections like a regular razorblade scraper.

 

It's amazing how things have gotten out of control with this truck. It ran good, however, the engine was loud. Camshaft was bad. Evidently the previous owner used it to tow his Airstream trailer or something.

So it goes from "just replacing the camshaft" to "let's pull the engine and rebuild it".

I really want to do the engine "right", since there is zero rust on this truck anywhere.

vmax84

http://community.webshots.com/myphot...ecurity=xzfUYN

 

Cookies
gotta love those 3m cookies, however they don't taste so good......