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How do I remove OLD GASKETS?

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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 09:30 AM
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Default How do I remove OLD GASKETS?

Ok, how the heck do I remove the old 16 year old GM gaskets from the intake manifold where my runners were? I don't want pieces of crap to fall down the intake and at the same time don't want to remove the intake. I have tried gasket remover and let it soak for 10 minutes at a time and did that all day. Seemed to have little to no effect even with scraping with a putty knife. I mean the old gaskets are a real PITA!.

Need some help on how you guys did it. Its been a week now and Iam getting little to no motivation to try to tackle this lol I need a new plan of attack.
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by XtremeVette
Ok, how the heck do I remove the old 16 year old GM gaskets from the intake manifold where my runners were? I don't want pieces of crap to fall down the intake and at the same time don't want to remove the intake. I have tried gasket remover and let it soak for 10 minutes at a time and did that all day. Seemed to have little to no effect even with scraping with a putty knife. I mean the old gaskets are a real PITA!.

Need some help on how you guys did it. Its been a week now and Iam getting little to no motivation to try to tackle this lol I need a new plan of attack.
The only way I know to do it well, is the old fashioned way. Roll up the sleeves, have a razor blade and some slightly sharp(but not too sharp) putty knives(stiff), and have at it. Use the urmost care to not damage the machined surfaces. Otherwise, the only easy way i know of is to write a check to someone.
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by XtremeVette
Ok, how the heck do I remove the old 16 year old GM gaskets from the intake manifold where my runners were? I don't want pieces of crap to fall down the intake and at the same time don't want to remove the intake. I have tried gasket remover and let it soak for 10 minutes at a time and did that all day. Seemed to have little to no effect even with scraping with a putty knife. I mean the old gaskets are a real PITA!.
Need some help on how you guys did it. Its been a week now and Iam getting little to no motivation to try to tackle this lol I need a new plan of attack.
One thing is sure, I stuff a shop towel in each port to avoid any crap falling down a port by accident if I have to do any thing like that. Still I would pull the whole thing to make sure everything is sealed (know you said you didn't want to do that).
I used ***. putty knifes and single edge razor blades, very carefully (real flat angle) as to not cut into the metal. It is time consuming, the biggest part in those jobs is the prep. you just need to take your time and do it right.
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 09:50 AM
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It's all already been said, good old fashioned elbow grease.... Welcome to one of the more glorious aspects of engine repair!
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by XtremeVette
Ok, how the heck do I remove the old 16 year old GM gaskets from the intake manifold where my runners were? I don't want pieces of crap to fall down the intake and at the same time don't want to remove the intake. I have tried gasket remover and let it soak for 10 minutes at a time and did that all day. Seemed to have little to no effect even with scraping with a putty knife. I mean the old gaskets are a real PITA!.

Need some help on how you guys did it. Its been a week now and Iam getting little to no motivation to try to tackle this lol I need a new plan of attack.
Hmm.. I didn't have that problem when I removed mine a few months ago. Its possible they were replaced at one time or another before I purchased the car. Most of it just pulled right off. There were some areas that were stuck on but I got it off with no problems.
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 09:58 AM
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For what it is worth, I use my shop vac to suck out any place the gasket pieces may fall. Yep, stuff some clean rags down the holes.
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Old Mar 25, 2006 | 10:04 AM
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3M or Permatex makes a spray on gasket remover. It is chemical stripper that works very well. Cover up your lifter galley with rags and spray the stuff on, let it sit several minutes and then remove the gasket. It may take a few applications but it makes it much much easier than just using elbow grease!
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