removing old gaskets

swimmingly · 08-15-2006, 05:42 PM

I've read about many cam tower/intake manifold/head removals, but I haven't seen anyone write about removing the old gaskets that these parts leave behind. Personally, I've been working on removing the gasket between the cam tower and head for a hour and I've only got about 1/4 of it off. Mine is pretty much caked on and cracks everytime I try to lift a little piece. I resorted to taking a razor blade and shaving the old gasket off by running over a particular part over and over and over again but there's still 3/4 (or 3 hours worth) left to do! Is there some secret method to getting this thing off?

Slam · 08-15-2006, 05:46 PM

You can try a gasket remover spray. It'll loosen the old gasket and make your scraping job easier. Then clean up with acetone. You've still gotta scrape, though, and carefully because the cam tower's aluminum. No fun but gotta be done right. I used a plastic ice scraper (how Canadian, eh?) and the spray. A razor will work fine but don't gouge the metal.

HTH - and I'm sure the guys here will have a few tricks.

Eldorado · 08-15-2006, 06:09 PM

googone?

Granite 944 · 08-15-2006, 06:20 PM

I agree with Slam. There is no "easy" way outta this (IFAIK).

Do NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, or others suggestions here or ANYWHERE, use scotbrite, or sanding disks on a drill or any other power tool to remove this gasket! IF you do, and your not EXTREMELY careful doing such (NOTE: I mean, VERY well experienced at this), you WILL take to much off, and gouge the metal, and you will now have oil leakage problems for the rest of your life here. These cam tower gaskets are very thin. Like Slam said, don't ruin the flatness of the tower/head cleaning this gasket off. Gasket remover spray, or other chemicals, and mostly patience, and you'll get 'er off, and clean. Check the flatness when done and satisfied.

I had to get creative on the last tower gasket I did on my '83 (I HAD to add some loctite gasket sealer, and filler), 'cause some impatient PO made a MESS outta the sealing surface of that tower. You can gouge that aluminum using a razor blade improperly/carelessly. Be careful.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

It really depends on what it was sealed with. If they used the right loctite, you can just reapply some new loctite and it will melt the old stuff. If they used something else...go with the gasket remover spray and a gasket remover tool....basically a razor blade with a handle. I like the idea of something plastic on aluminum.

Slam, you used a plastic what?

Techno Duck · Techno Duck's Garage

Dremel with a wire brush head...makes short work of anything left over.

hpaulb · 08-16-2006, 08:53 AM

I soften the gasket and use a window paint remover. Flat plastic holder that used razer blades. Use on low angle to remove bulk then straight up to final clean. Always flat on the surface or you will leave marks. Have used a wire wheel to get rid of very fine residure but be light on the touch.

Slam · 08-16-2006, 08:55 AM

Tom, the year I was in Houston you guys got record lows - there was actually ice on some of the roads! The whole town almost ground to a halt, and nobody knew how to drive on the stuff. I stayed in - didn't want any reminders of Canadian winters, thanks. Here our car windows get so iced up that there's no possible way any heater will shift the ice. So it's a flat-bladed plastic ice scraper to the rescue. Sure miss Houston. Actually, Galveston in particular.

I'd try a Dremel tool with a wire brush as well but be very careful. You don't realize how soft aluminum is until it's too late.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

Slam....ice on the road...that would definitely hurt Houston. These people are nuts anyway, they don't need ice. Actually, Christmas eve of 2004, we had 12 inches of snow, it was insane. I had never seen snow in Texas before...much less that much. I was trapped out and was creeping home at about 30 and three cars passed me going about 75 and honking. First bridge I came to, there were those three cars again one was upside down and the other two were slammed into the concrete walls as well as each other. Made sure I honked and waved as I drove by. Snow was gone by 10 the next morning and temperature was back in the sixties. Record lows...would that have been about December of 89? I remember it being cold that month because all our water pipes froze and broke...for those who don't know...in Texas they put the water pipes in the attic so you can only guess what kind of damage was done. My neighbor had a 911 in his garage and it was turned into a really nice ice sculpture when the pipe above it broke and poured water on it all night long. Pretty funny...if you weren't my neighbor that is. He always made sure to tell me I should sell my 944 and buy a real Porsche, so I was more than glad to back mine out of the garage and pull it in his driveway to ask him what shape that was in his garage. I'll have to see if I can find that picture. Wished I had an ice scraper to give to him that day.

Headhunter · 08-16-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Techno Duck
Dremel with a wire brush head...makes short work of anything left over.

I second that. Keep it on a low setting and it works magic.

Slam · 08-16-2006, 04:22 PM

Getting quite OT here...

Tom, I know the carnage of icy roads for those who aren't used to them. Even in Edmonton it seems folks forget how to drive in the winter and are surprised by it every fall. First snow means cars everywhere. I actually drive the 944 all year round - a good set of winter tires and it's fine, but it has its limits. Wouldn't want to do that in a 911! I've been off the road a few times - run off one New Year's eve by some redneck in a welding truck. The great danger is being stranded in the middle of nowhere. Every year someone freezes to death. Needlessly.

Pipes in the attic! Love it! Here everything's at least 6 feet down. Our well froze up last winter, blew the water lines off and filled itself about four feet with water. Had to replace everything - at -35C. Very cold. All we have in our attic are bats. And they're smart enough to leave before things get too cold (which is good 'cause we can go to war with them and stop them coming back). Never had a 911-sicle but the bats like to crap on our P-cars!

So, swimmingly, how's that gasket coming?

swimmingly · 08-30-2006, 11:29 AM

I decided the best method is to use a razor blade holder and scrape off the old gasket. If you get just the right angle, you can scrape pretty effectively without scratching the mating surface. I've still got a ways to go, but I am beginning to see progress. Once it's done, I'll go in with a vacuum and vacuum up the shavings and when the engine is back together, I'll run it just a bit then do an oil change prompty afterwards to get all the crap out.

Slam · 08-30-2006, 07:11 PM

Looks like you're on the right track. Have you plugged up all the oil galley holes? I seem to recall I finished up with a light sanding to get the stubborn bits off.