Soda blasting for engine gasket removal

[antwan]

So I'm in the process of replacing engine gaskets and seals. Just wanted to hear some opinions about soda blasting the mating surfaces to remove stuck on gasket. the gasket around the cylinders is being very stubborn, I have been using gasket remover, engine degreaser, wd 40, plastic scrapers, scotch bright and razor blades. The process is extremely tedious, and some spots just dont seem like there going to come off at all. I dont want go crazy with the razor blade in case i scratch up the surface.

anybody have any experience using a soda blaster for this?

 

[Finnigan]

I use a razor sharp wood chisel at the shallowest angle possible

 

[antwan]

so you dont recommend soda blasting?

 

[Hot500]

I would be a bit reluctant to do this. Although soda is a fairly soft medium, if the gasket is as stubborn as you say, you may be tempted to concentrate the stream on the one area a bit too long.

I sandblast my cases with fine grit and dont worry too much about areas like clutch cover gasket surfaces or even seal surfaces as long as its a light quick application. But cylinder heads and block surfaces I use a sharpened hardened steel scraper.

Particularly important to be very careful around valve seat areas.

 

[frogman]

There's these things that look like scotch brite pads in the wood working section of most hardware or big box stores. They are for striping paint and such off wood, when used with the paint remover stuff. I've used them many times to remove gaskets, sometimes even with said paint remover!. ;D

Never blast gasket surfaces with an abrasive unless you have the ablity to redress those surfaces flat again. Even small amounts can dig pits into soft parts that will cause leaks.

 

[SONICJK]

You can soda blast the gasket surfaces all you want. I do it often enough. It won't hurt anything the soda is so much softer then the steel there is no risk of marring the surface.
You'll use a bunch of expensive soda though.

 

[antwan]

Just finished her off! took me about two hours just to do the one side. It was painful but very rewarding when finished. I used some brake cleaner, and WD40 to break down the gasket and then a small copper scraper I made out of some tubing to dig away at the thick chunks. Tried not to use the razor blade much, it scratches the surface so easily. Lots of rubbing with the scotch bright!

Thanks for your input guys!

 

[sprocket2cog]

looking good, nice and clean.