Cleaning up head surface

[AlphaDogChoppers]

I know these holes need to be dry so that the bolts grab and don't loosen themselves out.

Torque specs are for clean oiled threads. Don't have to be dry. Friction is not what keeps fasteners from loosening. Tension and elasticity is what keeps fasteners tight. You don't want friction to be a wild card in properly tensioning bolts. That's why the threads must be clean and oiled.

I use antiseize on almost everything, but you have to be careful about how much torque you apply. Antiseize reduces the required torque to achieve correct tension by as much as 20%, so I use the low number of the specified torque range when using antiseize.

 

[AlphaDogChoppers]

large syringe or turkey baster for the holes then swab them dry,wet/dry shop vacum works as well for the coolant passages

+1 on all that, plus compressed air.