Looking for runner gasket tips
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Looking for runner gasket tips
I spent an hour tonight scraping away at the old runner gaskets. And, that was just on the intake....
I have to admit the gaskets are fairly impressive with steel mesh sanwiched between 2 sheets of material (composition?). Anyway, the gaskets came off fairly easy.... that is the main bulk of them. But the material that remains is hard as a rock and glued to the intake. (It seems there's little difference between the remaining petrified material and the aluminum under it!)
My best headway was acheived by using a wood chisel and scraping. (A paint scraper is too weak/dull). I also tried a razor blade but that actually looked like it can leave nicks in the alum! 120 grit emory cloth didn't impress me either (though it will be good for final "buff").
I did make fair headway but I'm not looking forward to round 2. Are there any tricks for getting the rest off? Can anything impregnate that stuff and soften it?
Also, when reinstalling would you use a sealer like "the right stuff" or silicone? (I've seen references to the right stuff but never saw it in stores. Any hints on local retailers?)
gp
P.S. If someone ever looks at my old C4 and says "Dang, look at that fossil, I"ll know they're refering to the hardened gaskets!!!
I have to admit the gaskets are fairly impressive with steel mesh sanwiched between 2 sheets of material (composition?). Anyway, the gaskets came off fairly easy.... that is the main bulk of them. But the material that remains is hard as a rock and glued to the intake. (It seems there's little difference between the remaining petrified material and the aluminum under it!)
My best headway was acheived by using a wood chisel and scraping. (A paint scraper is too weak/dull). I also tried a razor blade but that actually looked like it can leave nicks in the alum! 120 grit emory cloth didn't impress me either (though it will be good for final "buff").
I did make fair headway but I'm not looking forward to round 2. Are there any tricks for getting the rest off? Can anything impregnate that stuff and soften it?
Also, when reinstalling would you use a sealer like "the right stuff" or silicone? (I've seen references to the right stuff but never saw it in stores. Any hints on local retailers?)
gp
P.S. If someone ever looks at my old C4 and says "Dang, look at that fossil, I"ll know they're refering to the hardened gaskets!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
"Also, when reinstalling would you use a sealer like "the right stuff" or silicone?"
Probably not approved here but I glue one side on ( base and plenum) and saturated the other side with grease.
Never had a vac leak and comes apart easy.Have reused runner gasket 4 or 5 times.
Probably not approved here but I glue one side on ( base and plenum) and saturated the other side with grease.
Never had a vac leak and comes apart easy.Have reused runner gasket 4 or 5 times.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
That stuff, if I remember correctly, is basically a mix of acetone with something else that I can't remember. A big bottle of acetone is about half the price of that little spray can. You should use rubber gloves with both.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Razor blades will definitely nick the aluminum, there are abrasive wheels specially made for gasket removal. You put them in your drill and they will remove the gasket residue while only shining the aluminum. Replace the gaskets dry, that's why they come with the little plastic locator plugs. Old gasket goop is probably the reason your having so much trouble getting the surface clean. If you do use the spray gasket remover, use far away from any painted surface, it's the best paint remover I've ever seen.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
From: Plano TX
I would honestly think that those gaskets will press in and fill in the imperfections. My runners have a few small imperfections and once they gasket was squeezed by the torque it just filled in where needed, no issues. I don't think I'd worry too much about it personally.
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