My 86 has been sitting since last june and I am finally getting around to this. I am working on cleaning the surface on the block for new gaskets and heads. So far I have scraped with a razor scraper and scrubbed with a scotch brite pad as described by Taylor (ihateminnimum) in his headgasket thread. The block still seems pretty crusty to me and the scotch b pad is looking shredded. The guy at the machine shop where I took my heads said dont use an orbital sander just use a sanding block. I haven't tried it yet because I dont like the idea of sand in my cylinders. What paper or screen should I use on a sanding block? What solvent other than brake cleaner? Should I try to clean down in the cylinders? Tops of pistons? If I rotate the crank to move the pistons while the ip is out, am I going to f up the timing for reinstall? Thanks in advance.

 

Every one I have done I had to have the block decked and the heads trued. If there is any sort of wear where the fire ring on the head gasket seats then you run the risk of blowing a head gasket shortly after reinstallation.