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Prepping the blocks with just a razor blade by hand until it feels completely smooth to the touch then using starting fluid and a rag to clean it up .Thoughts on this? Kinda hesitant to use a scotch brite or angle grinder.
I cover the block and heads with one layer of a paper towel, the spray soak them with gasket remover. This prevents the liquid from getting into the recessed areas. I then cover with plastic wrap held in place with magnets. The covering prevents evaporation and you can let it soak in for a long time.
Then I fall back to what is shown in Fel-Pro's vid on block prep, as it's the same I’ve done for years. The Super Scraper, Scotchbrite green 96 pad by hand, and if I have to a brass wire brush of 0.006 to 0.008” wire diameter. That's the only powered work done, and it's mostly for the rusted areas on the edge of the heads and blocks, not the sealing surface. There’s something else I do but I’ll leave that alone for now.
Talked to a few engine builders (Charlie and Jared from kill devil) and they suggested no power tools. Nice razor scraper after the big stuff is scraped off with a more heavy duty scraper, hand finish with 3m pad by hand. It literally took me 45 min per side. Jared from KDD couldn't stress enough how vital the block prep is.
I have a straight edge and checked deck integrity also after the prep.....just to make sure
I wet sanded the block using acetone and 2000 grit sandpaper. Have a bowl of acetone, dip the paper and scrub for a sec, dip again, scrub. Dip and scrub. Workes the best for me.
