using brass wheel on head? to clean for intake swap

[porschpow]

I have been reading that people used a dremmel with a brass wire wheel to clean the heads where the intake gaskets mount the head.

Isn't that too abrasive and wont it make scratches deep enough that the coolant or whatever else leak???

[turbo2256b]

i HAVE USED 220 ISH GRIT sand paper on a sanding block or wire wheels on a drill. Dont recommend sand paper if there on the engine also stuff rags or paper towels in the ports if on the engine also something to catch debris from falling in the valley. After pulling out whatever you stuff in the ports vacuum out the runners and the valley.

[porschpow]

WOW, isn't 220 a little too rough? Well I guess its on the border. But why would you advise against it?

I still think the wire wheel is to rough on the block finish, even brass

[turbo2256b]

iF THE HEADS ARE ON THE ENGINE sand paper grit can fall in the ports and or engine. If the heads are not on the engine its less apt to. One even has to worry about wire flying off the wire brush with heads installed or on the bench. Brass or steel can be used on iron heads.

[porschpow]

yeah , true, kind of knew that lol

I thought these 4.6's were aluminum heads

[turbo2256b]

uSE A GASKET SCRAPER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND WIRE BRUSH IF NEEDED

[gadget73]

Aluminum heads are real easy to mess up. Usually careful use of a gasket scraper will get it clean. Its been off not that long ago, I wouldn't expect much trouble out of it.

[turbo2256b]

dONT THEY HAVE WHAT WE AT fORD CALLED RACE TRACK GASKETS

[porschpow]

By a gasket scraper, would an old credit card or a razor work?

I wire brush wouldn't mess up the aluminum. By the way, how would you mess up the aluminum?

[turbo2256b]

razor BLADE WILL work. It just easier to end up with gashes or wavy finish because the material is a bit softer than iron

[porschpow]

Oh gotcha, so what happens if you get gashes? Can you smooth it out with the brass wire wheel?

[SVT98t]

I use a razor blade.
I haven't had any issues with gouges.
And if you do gouge it, a dab of blue RTV will fix that.

Sent from my LGLS740 using Tapatalk

[porschpow]

Ok cool, I can't imagine gouging something that bad with a razor, lol

[gadget73]

you'd be surprised. Aluminum will peel right out with a sharp razor blade if you put enough force behind it.

[sly]

if you want to be safe, use the plastic gasket removal tool.

I've shaved aluminum with a razor without much pressure at all.