Removing gasket from timing cover

I am actually looking for suggestions for good/easy ways to get old gasket material off the aluminum timing cover. Trying to scrape it off looks like it will take forever and may damage the cover.

 

Wire brush/wheel?

 

razor scraper. slow and easy.

 

Razor blade as much off first then Dremel with wire wheel and carb cleaner ..

.. caution - wear eye protection as the bristles DO fly off

 

It's been decades since I've done this kind of thing, but you guys have refreshed my memory. The razor blade method was what I used to do back in the day. That being said, that was a PITA. I recall a mechanic friend of mine used to use scotchbrite roloc discs. Doing some research I see there is a version of the roloc where it has 'fingers' that looks interesting.

Has anyone used the 'finger' version? Can someone recommend what grade of roloc to use? Finger version or not.

 

... nothing thats abrasive enough to "cut" aluminum

 

With all the parts and brake cleaner I've been using, I think I have had my fill of stinky chemicals. :faint:

But thanks, I'll keep that in mind as a last resort.

 

Submerge in kerosene

 

Chip it off with a Fruitcake; 'tis the season.

 

3M roloc pads and a die grinder will take the residue off without solvents. Just use the light-duty abrasives on the aluminum...I think the green or brown pads should be fine.

 

Not sure what the specific brand name is but we use a right angle die grinder with rubber/nylon bristles on a round backing. I get mine from the Matco guy. Relatively inexpensive, last a long time and don't damage tender aluminum parts at all. Work fast too with little effort. Just chuck 'em up in the grinder and have at it. Love those things.

 

See this is what I'm talking about. Can you find out more info next time you go back to work? This would be something that would totally belong in this section. I believe I know what you are talking about but the ones I've seen were very pricey.

 

I just looked through the Matco, Mac and SnapOn online catalogs and didn't see what I was looking for. I even looked at Sears.com. :spank: I'll be in the shop Monday for sure but I'll try to stop by tomorrow.

 

This is what your looking for:

http://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.co...sc-07524-Green-2-Coarse-10-discsbx-P2414.aspx

They seam very speedy though. I'm sure you can source the Holder, and Pads cheaper else ware.

The house type paint scrapers:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_174453-995-34709_0__?productId=3084297

Are helpfull to get through the hardened gasket. You still have to be carefull on the aluminum, but the pulling action dosnt tend to dig in like a traditional gasket scraper can on aluminum.

 

Those are exactly the ones we use. Thanks!

:gp:

 

Ive been watching this thred "tongue in cheek" and want to add my 2 cents... If you have the means to use a wheeled abrasive method, dis-regard this. You wont hurt my feelings. Ive been around a lot of old stuff where the assembler always had a better idea on gasketing. It sounds like an old gasket that got cooked INTO the porosity of the aluminum, with something like permatex (yuck!!) being the bonding agent. This is what I would do:


First off, get it clean because youre gonna wrestle the anaconda before youre done, unless you can devise a way to clamp it down. Rest it somewhere where you can manage it AND keep it somewhat stable/level. Put on the gloves. Warm the whole cover to about 200F. Id use a propane torch, but a heat gun will suffice. Aluminum will take a lot to heat and keep hot. Next is take a SHARP wood chisel, and make it almost hot to where it will turn dark blue. That's where the torch comes in. Keep the cover warm and the chisel HOT. Get in underneath the old gasket and find the sweet spot with the hot chisel and itll slice through the permatex (!!) like its hot butter.

If you still aren't satisfied with the final finish take a few sheets of some #80 sand paper (!) and spray glue them edge to edge on to a piece of 3/4" plywood (or anything flat and level!) and run the part on that in a figure 8 pattern. Rotate the part in your hands to keep the rate even all around. You can also glue an emery strip onto the edge of a 2x4 and use it like a file. Juris Prudence is the rule here. Every few swipes wire brush the emery cloth or it will load up with mungoo.

In my YOOT, I was a machinist in a power plant and was frequently required to cut an old gasket out of a steam sight glass (gage glass) housing on the Bridgeport mill. Those were typically, a paper gasket, followed by a MICA gasket, another paper job then the glass. The gage glass was two sided so the job was X2... Auto gaskets are childs play LOL ! Bill in TR