Crankcase cleaning........

[boyt911sc]

I've been cleaning and scraping the old crankcase sealant the PO had used on the crankcase for 2 days now and still have a lot of work needed to totally remove the residual sealant. What methods do you guys employ to get this hard and brittle sealant residue off the matting surfaces? Any suggestions, tips, directions, or comments is highly appreciated.


Almost every conceivable mating surfaces around the crankcase perimeter were covered by this dark brown sealant and I'm patiently trying to remove the residue. And it's taking too much time to get this done this way. Thanks.

Tony

[stevepaa]

I used a metal scraper on non mating surfaces, plastic scraper and emery paper on mating surfaces. Several days work to get it where I liked it.

[Cipotifoso]

One trick I learned to clean up a sealing/mating surface is to use a small rectangular knife-sharping stone lubricated with WD-40. You can remove the old residue and clean up the surface by rubbing the flat stone edge over the surface. You'll need to remove the oil residue, of course, before the new sealants are applied.

Dave

(A version of this reply was also posted under "78 3.0 engine rebuild 2/11")

[Targa Time]

i used a devise made by 3M for cleaning aluminum gasket surfaces. It fits on the twist-loc pad like the scotch-brite pads. It has a bunch of plastic fingers that take off the gasket material without damaging the aluminum. worked great. The only drawback is that it cannot fit into all the tight areas around studs.

[Flat6pac]

Looks like the Indian Head sealant
Bruce

[billybek]

Could be a lock-tite product.
Try lock-tite Chisel.
I personally don't like it but it does work!

[Tom F2]

Permatex Gasket Remover (but careful on magnesium alloys), laboratory grade single edge razors and a fine wire brush.

[Two Rivers]

I use lacquer thinner. Works great. Use the slow evaporating high temp stuff.
You can also use a small brass wire brush with it and not damage the sealing surface.

[Flat6pac]

Tony, Ive got the same sealant and this hasnt been opened before so youre dealing with factory.
Picture of mine
Bruce

[TibetanT]

Tony and Bruce:

Any ideas with what was used for the sealing?

I have a 1978 3.0L opened up now, with what appears very similar to the sealants used on both your motors. At first look, my guess was Red Loctite and it was applied on the perimeters of the case only, liberally. Webs were very clean with no residual compounds.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

Tony, Ive got the same sealant and this hasnt been opened before so youre dealing with factory.
Picture of mine
Bruce

Bruce,

I'm no expert in this field but I could assure you that my engine has been opened up and worked on by a questionable mechanic or owner. An example of poor quality craftmanship:

Look at the left side cam shaft ('78-'79 SC):


Here is the right side cam shaft ('81-'83SC):


So I have to deal with what cards I have on hand and move forward. And with the help from this forum, I hope to resurrect this motor back to life in a much better condition. Thank you guys.

Tony

[Flat6pac]

The cams are both the same grind. The grind was used from 78 to 89 at different settings. The cam probably wiped from oil holes plugged in the cam carrier. Its cheaper to get another cam than to get it fixed. I know the top end was done on mine but not opened I meant the center case.
Bruce

[cgarr]

Maybe someone snapped off the threads on the right cam and threaded it for the bolt?

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by cgarr

Maybe someone snapped off the threads on the right cam and threaded it for the bolt?

Craig,

The left-side cam was '78-'79 and the right-side was a '81-'83 SC (shorter). I have replacement 964 cams already sitting in my basement awaiting installation.

Tony

[rscheps]

Any opinions on wisdom of using aircraft paint stripper? I tried it on a small area of my cam tower. It is noxious but it does seem to knock that gasket crap right off.