build diary

April 12, 2007: Preparing the block for the head.
I have to start using multi-layer steel head gaskets on this engine. I'm getting sick of cleaning off the remnants of the composite ones! This is at least the fourth head gasket to go on this engine thanks to the various rebuilds. It should be good for years of hard service now though.

If you look carefully at the exhaust valve cutouts, you can see where the valves were hitting the pistons. I didn't see this the last time the head was off, so the float was obviously extreme recently despite the same redline. I cleaned up the pistons with a dremel to take the sharp edges off and some fine Scotchbrite soaked in carb cleaner removed the carbon. Cleaning the headgasket was done with a plastic scraper and a Shop-Vac powerful enough to lift carb cleaner right off the head. No metal shavings in here! At least, I did my best to avoid it.

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