Hello all, I just received my new head for my 22-re 4 runner from Japanengine.com this past week, I am pretty stoked to get it installed, but I am a little concerned about cleaning the old head gasket surface on the block. I have a brass cup brush that can be put on an electric drill, and I was wondering if that was going to be too abrasive to use on the iron block/ top of pistons. Also I am trying to figure out if anyone has heard anything or had experience with products from Japanengine before, and finally when I am putting the new exhaust manifold nuts on do I need to use copper paste on those or just put them on bare? Thanks all

 

I use wd40 and a green plastic "Brillo" type pad to clean flat/gasket surfaces.

I would plug some of the cooling ports maybe.

Not sure if the wd + PLASTIC brillo is a good idea or not, it won't take any metal off, but if the gunky mixture gets into the engine, who knows.

Get a lot of paper towels!!!

 

X2 on the green pads

Start with a razor scraper if necessary to remove large pieces of gasket, then green "scotch brite" pads and either acetone or carb cleaner. Something that will evaporate without any residue. I also had heavy carbon buildup on #2 cylinder and for that I used a nylonex brush for my drill. I just did mine last night. I was up till 5:30 AM. Good times.

 

A razor type scraper first, works good for me. Tends to NOT dig into the iron. If you stick with the scraper and change blades a few times, plus using carb cleaner spray, will lift the rest and degrease the gasket surface. Be careful to use "Sensor Safe" sealants. Some degrease the block and head and install the gasket dry. Some put a very light coat of head gasket sealer. I spray my gasket with 3M spray adhesive to prevent a water or oil leak. I do not recommend the scrub pads. They shed and put little buggers down in holes and around piston rings. But, with paper towels, may be OK.

My $0.02

 

That's a supurb idea, yota4runna. I'll have to remember that one.

 

X3, on the green pads. I do the block first and the head second. I do the head second with the old pad because it's not so abrassive on the aluminum. I also like to coat the cylinder head surface with a light oil first (wd-40, ect.) It's not necessary, but thats how I was shown to do the job way back when.