Head / Block surface preparation

[keanej]

Spent today cleaning the block surface in readiness for putting the heads back on. I am more used to good old fashioned cast iron blocks that will take fairly aggressive cleaning without damage, so some advice on the V8 engine would be appreciated.

There is a really hard brownish coloured film ( assume a residue from engine oil used when last assembled ) which I have been scraping off with a pen knife whilst trying not to scratch the aluminium - this is working but leaves very small bits behind - Is it permissible to lightly go over with very fine wet and dry ?

Any other methods of cleaning ?

 

[SydneyRoverP6B]

Hello John,

I would be inclined to stay away from using any form of abrasives, rather try using liquids only such as acetone.

Ron.

 

[DaveHerns]

Cellulose thinners will probably shift it