I'm in the process of replacing my water pump and am now stuck trying to get the old rotten gasket off the block. I'v tried gasoline and Goof-off with zero results. Carefully scraped with a metal putty knife and still nothing. Some kind of plastic grinder wheel?
Any tips or ideas welcome

Thanks

 

I use a razor blade in a pair of vice grips.

 

A sharp putty knife or gasket scraper. You do Not want to take chunks out of the aluminum timing cover

 

http://bit.ly/1j25Vj1
I hope that works. Heavy duty composite gasket scraper.
The other thing I use is a rubber finger disk thing on my 90* diegrinder
http://bit.ly/1hfbo32
They make different stiffness also for steel or alum parts.

 

90* die grinder with a brown fiber disc.

 

A sharp putty knife?? theres an idea. Mines rather dull. I like the idea of that rubber looking disk. Unfortunately I dont have one of those or a die grinder on hand.

 

Try using a sharp putty knife first. Then if thats not working to the auto parts store and buy a spray can of gasket remover. Combine the two. Take care not to get it on you. In a few minutes, the affected areas will burn pretty bad.

 

Use a razor blade. If you gouge it a little, so what. People make way too big of a deal about it. If you're using gasket sealer like you should be in the first place, a few little nicks aren't going to hurt anything.

 

You're not going to gouge a steel block with a razor blade.

 

But he will on the aluminum timing cover

 

Double post

 

I just used my pocket knife and patience and then use some Emory cloth to clean it up even more