Did I mess up my block?

[BigBear713]

I am in the process of doing my studs. Today I was prepping the block for new gaskets. I was using this surface prep kit from o'reilly with 7 pieces in it. I went from coarse, medium and, fine. It looks like the block still has residue from the old gaskets on it still and, the block does not seem as smooth as the heads are. My question is, will the gasket's properly seat themselves still? Here are two pictures I took. Notice on the close up picture that there is still residue from the old gasket's. They seem to be sitting inside little holes on the block and, I cannot get it out.

[Bigmastiff]

It's hard to tell if that is "too much" gasket material left behind. You do not have to get every little peice of gasket material off the block- it is just a peace of mind thing. If a razor blade catches the material... work at it a little more! I have built several "in frame" engines and have had a little material left and never had a leak when reassembled. It looks pretty clean from the pictures but really that's a call to be made by you. MAKE SURE TO CHECK FOR DECK FLATNESS!!!!! Also, you DO NOT want the head or deck surfaces polished "mirror" smooth. There is a microfinish that needs to be maintaned (or close to) so the head gasket can actually "grab" the surfaces. That microthin layer of gasket is actually the material you are asking about getting off!!!!

[CowboyCody]

looks good to me, but what do i know..maybe wipe it down with carb cleaner or something..but it should be good enough.. not to state the obvious but you may want to clean out your pistons though.

[emperorjordan]

yeah I would go to town on the pistons with a shop vac then some compressed air, and then wipe the deck down with some carb cleaner and call it good.

[wetnsloppy4x]

Looks pretty clean to me. As mentioned, be sure to check the deck for flatness.

I gotta ask though, what tuning were you using to get that star pattern on your pistons?

[CowboyCody]

it says edge insight in his sig. ???

[BigBear713]

Originally Posted by wetnsloppy4x

Looks pretty clean to me. As mentioned, be sure to check the deck for flatness.

I gotta ask though, what tuning were you using to get that star pattern on your pistons?

I was using a diablo sport 1st, then moved to edge juice with attitude then, I haven't run a programmer since october last year. Is the star pattern good?

[BigBear713]

Originally Posted by Bigmastiff

It's hard to tell if that is "too much" gasket material left behind. You do not have to get every little peice of gasket material off the block- it is just a peace of mind thing. If a razor blade catches the material... work at it a little more! I have built several "in frame" engines and have had a little material left and never had a leak when reassembled. It looks pretty clean from the pictures but really that's a call to be made by you. MAKE SURE TO CHECK FOR DECK FLATNESS!!!!! Also, you DO NOT want the head or deck surfaces polished "mirror" smooth. There is a microfinish that needs to be maintaned (or close to) so the head gasket can actually "grab" the surfaces. That microthin layer of gasket is actually the material you are asking about getting off!!!!

Okay great! I was worried I used the wrong stuff to remove the old gasket.

[wetnsloppy4x]

Originally Posted by BigBear713

I was using a diablo sport 1st, then moved to edge juice with attitude then, I haven't run a programmer since october last year. Is the star pattern good?

No it is not good at all, but typical with those type of modules.

[BigBear713]

Everyone agree that the disc I used to prep the block are ok?