Putting a new head on - cleaning the block?

[JimSuperSix]

Hello,

received my new head from Stevo (at last, no thanks to DHL!), so we shall be fitting it next weekend. I really need to clean the top face of the block so what's the best way to go about this?

A friend suggested putting grease into the cylinders to catch and trap any dirt, then wiping it all out afterwards.

Any recommendations from the experts?

Secondly, assuming it all goes well, is there a foolproof way to refil the coolant system? I don't want to crack the new head.

[Silversurfer]

Hello,

received my new head from Stevo (at last, no thanks to DHL!), so we shall be fitting it next weekend. I really need to clean the top face of the block so what's the best way to go about this?

A friend suggested putting grease into the cylinders to catch and trap any dirt, then wiping it all out afterwards.

Any recommendations from the experts?

Secondly, assuming it all goes well, is there a foolproof way to refil the coolant system? I don't want to crack the new head.

Stuff the bores with rags/cloths and wipe a smear of grease around the top of the bores. Use a soft metal scraper - you only want to remove the gunge not risk scratching the top face of the block. It is best to leave the carbon on the top of the bores as this helps to maintain an oil seal for the bores.
I used to have an old V6 Capri that was a swine for getting air-locked when you changed the coolant. The best way I found to change the coolant without getting air locks was to make sure the heater was fully on - take off the top heater hose from the engine compartment - put a small funnel into the end of the hose and raise it as high as I could and fill the coolant from there. The extra height/pressure used to force any air through the system and not leave it trapped in the heater which is where most air locks appear to originate from This method was the only way I found that guaranteed no air locks on the Capri.

The URL below is a link to info on the Forum on other ways of getting rid of air in the cooling system.

Burping the cooling system

Hope all goes well.

[marky]

Hello,

received my new head from Stevo (at last, no thanks to DHL!), so we shall be fitting it next weekend. I really need to clean the top face of the block so what's the best way to go about this?

A friend suggested putting grease into the cylinders to catch and trap any dirt, then wiping it all out afterwards.

Any recommendations from the experts?

Secondly, assuming it all goes well, is there a foolproof way to refil the coolant system? I don't want to crack the new head.

STEVO WILL GIVE YOU ADVICE IFF NEED BE. As you bought the head off him

[JimSuperSix]

STEVO WILL GIVE YOU ADVICE IFF NEED BE. As you bought the head off him

Ta, just spoken to him, so here is what he said if it's useful to anyone else -

1. scrape the top of the block carefully to remove any old gasket residue.
2. move 2 pistons to TDC and smear grease around to stop anything getting in.
3. clean the top of the block with 60grit emery cloth until it is silver clean.
4. make sure the pre-chambers are clean
5. clean and dry the bolt holes with either compressed air or cloth wrapped around a screwdriver, so no oil or water remains.

All OK, but what are pre-chambers?

[stevo]

block

Jim, the pre chambers are fitted in the new head, i was refering to the area on the top of the block where the head gasket takes the shape of the pre chambers, its important that this area is spotless, look on Marky's pics taken for his mate Paul and you will see where i mean.
Regards Steve.

[marky]

like this one

[JimSuperSix]

Ah, OK - thanks. Just one problem - I'm not allowed to expand that first image. Marky - any chance you could email that image to me (jameskett@dsl.pipex.com) please?

Lovely sunny day today (snow is gone at last ), so I can at last start to clean my Surf's block. Hopefully she'll be back on the road soon, fingers crossed...

thanks very much.
James

[marky]

Theyre on their way mate

[JimSuperSix]

Just received all those photos, thanks very much - the glow plug and vacuum system diagrams will be very helpful - we took 100 or so photos during disassembly so a nice clear diagram should enable us to match up the photos and check we've got it all back together correctly.

thanks again
James

[JimSuperSix]

After a nice afternoon outside I've ended up with this - http://www.jameskett.dsl.pipex.com/cleanblk.JPG

Stevo / Marky - does that look clean enough to refit the head on?

[stevo]

block

Clean enough to eat your dinner off Jim it's fine.
Cheers, Steve.

[JimSuperSix]

Excellent! - roll on next weekend then...

thanks
James

[snowwolf]

crap

I used one of the cheap wet and dry hoovers that you can buy from b&q just hold the suction hose next to scraper when scraping, it does a great job, they are about £30 also great for clearing up dog dihorea from living room carpet......LOL but true

[Djandco]

Mr Mussals claims to clean most things!

I probably wouldn't use it myself though!


Keep smiling