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I’m in the process of installing some long tubes and I need suggestions on what to use to clean the head surface to get a good seal. I’ve used a microfiber rag and brakleen but that’s not getting it good enough there’s still some build up around the exhaust ports. I need to use something very slightly abrasive. Would it be okay to gently scrub it with like a 0000 3M finishing pad? If not what would be good? I can’t get in there good enough to use a razor blade.
I’m in the process of installing some long tubes and I need suggestions on what to use to clean the head surface to get a good seal. I’ve used a microfiber rag and brakleen but that’s not getting it good enough there’s still some build up around the exhaust ports. I need to use something very slightly abrasive. Would it be okay to gently scrub it with like a 0000 3M finishing pad? If not what would be good? I can’t get in there good enough to use a razor blade.
I think you are over thinking the job. Were it me and I did hit it with 600 grit wet dry sand paper.
I'd run a tap into header bolt holes for clean, I would use OEM herder gaskets and I used stage 8 header bolts.
apply headers loose trill you connect X pipe to them.
I think you are over thinking the job. Were it me and I did hit it with 600 grit wet dry sand paper.
I'd run a tap into header bolt holes for clean, I would use OEM herder gaskets and I used stage 8 header bolts.
apply headers loose trill you connect X pipe to them.
I’m a big believer in doing it right the first time and not having to do it again. I hate having header leaks so I’m trying to avoid that. I’ve already got the stage 8 bolts and oem gaskets I just need to know what’s okay to use on the heads that won’t hurt the soft aluminum. So you think the 600 grit sandpaper going over it lightly will be fine?
I’m a big believer in doing it right the first time and not having to do it again. I hate having header leaks so I’m trying to avoid that. I’ve already got the stage 8 bolts and oem gaskets I just need to know what’s okay to use on the heads that won’t hurt the soft aluminum. So you think the 600 grit sandpaper going over it lightly will be fine?
Buy a Norton, or equivalent, flat honing stone. They're not that pricey, are about 6" long, 2" wide, and 1" thick. Coarse and black on one side, fine and tan on the other. They work great for deck surfaces, head surfaces, intake and exhaust port surfaces, etc. I believe Grainger and McMaster-Carr have them. Once you use one, you'll wonder how you got along without one, trust me......
Just go to Home Depot or the Hardware store, geta can of Acetone... works really great and simple. NO RAZOR SCRAPING! This can gouge / scrape the aluminum, causing sealing issues.
Not sure why this hasn't been mentioned. I'm not sure what header gaskets you are planning on running. But some header manufacture's send out header gaskets that are crap, absolute junk.
ONLY use the factory exhaust manifold gasket and you shouldn't have any issues at all!
Not sure why this hasn't been mentioned. I'm not sure what header gaskets you are planning on running. But some header manufacture's send out header gaskets that are crap, absolute junk.
ONLY use the factory exhaust manifold gasket and you shouldn't have any issues at all!
Yep I ordered a new set of oem mls gaskets. I ended up using a razor blade and carefully scraping the carbon buildup off the sealing area and then used brakleen and a rag to wipe them off. They feel nice and smooth around the ports so I assume they will seal good.
Surface prep for header gaskets
