pulled cams and head...what to clean it with?

anmartin44 · Post by **anmartin44** » 27 Feb 2011, 20:11

I finally got around to pulling the head off the motor i took out of my car. It apparently seized due to lack of oil so the bottom end is toast but I am pretty sure the head is still good. It wasn't the most well maintained motor obviously so i would like to clean up the cam cover and clean up the head. i have never pulled a head before so I dont know what to clean it with or how to store it.

I've heard of chem b-12 and some other stuff. what should i use to scrub it with that won't damage the mating surfaces?
Should I take all the valves apart to clean all the carbon deposits? Most likely I would put new guides and seals in before I ever installed it on another car but I would like to know what I should do to clean and store it right now. It has 154K on the motor and there was no head gasket leak.
Also is it normal for there to be valve marks on the intake side of the pistons? there is two marks on each piston so I dont know if the head has been rebuilt or not cause none of the valves are bent.

Thanks for any suggestions!
Andrew

Post by **RyanGLT** » 27 Feb 2011, 20:21

the little half circles on the pistons are for valve clearance.

Post by **JDS60R** » 27 Feb 2011, 22:42

Do not scrub the head. Remove the gasket chemically. You do not want to alter the RA finish of the head or block. Use an old credit card or plastic razor blade to move the chemically removed goo. Then wipe the rest with a lint free rag.

Gasket remover is a spray on gel type. Then finish with brake cleaner or similar cleaner that does not leave a residue.
By leaving the same finish on the metal and removing any gasket , oil or residue from the mating surfaces you professionally installing some longevity into the seal.

None of that will matter if the surfaces are not flat. Make sure to take you measurement on the block and the head and have resurfacing done as needed.