[cmitchell17]

So I used this permatex gasket remover:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/PERMATEX-...ce27820cfa1ad7

and it worked pretty good to get all the rest of the red stuff off. However, the rest of the "stains" like the "FRONT" lettering I still could not get off. I am just using a plastic scraper and plastic brush, I did use a razor blade on just the corner of one head and got scared that I was messing it up to much and digging into the aluminum so I quit.



So I wonder if this is clean enough? It seems like the only way I am going to get it cleaner is with scotch brite and I know I shouldnt use anything abrasive. I know you are supposed to use the extremely overpriced J28410 tool, but I am not sure if that tool is metal or plastic??

Also I got some of the long reach q tips like Jcunningham suggested and one of my head bolt holes had a lot of oil, I am assuming its just because some of the head bolt holes are crossed drilled or are through holes into oil passages? I guess the head bolts will seal it up.

[6spdhyperblue]

Don’t Know about oil being in the bolt holes...

Is that really almost $40 for gasket remover? Is there gold in there?

[cmitchell17]

Originally Posted by 6spdhyperblue

Don’t Know about oil being in the bolt holes...

Is that really almost $40 for gasket remover? Is there gold in there?

I paid 10 bucks at advanced auto.

But anyway I did smell the end of the q tip and it is definately used oil, its got the combustion smell to it.

I don't see what else it could be?

[cmitchell17]

So it appears that all the holes nearest the lifter cover all have a puddle of oil in the bottom:


And the holes nearest the headers don't:




It does kind of have a weird smell kind of like used oil but maybe not?

[JCunningham]

when i took my ls3 heads off it was the same and that was normal. im sure it is normal on the LT1 too.

[gtfoxy]

Pistons look like they could use some Barryman’s.

[cmitchell17]

Originally Posted by gtfoxy

Pistons look like they could use some Barryman’s.

I was hoping that since I've run E85 almost 100% of the time for over half the life of my car that the pistons and especially head ports would be a little cleaner, but doesn't look like that's the case, but carbon buildup is good, more compression haha

[JCunningham]

i dont get why people clean there pistons. they will just look like that soon after you put it back together.

[cmitchell17]

Yeah dosent make much sense when it's going to come right back.

On another topic, does the lash cap have to be kind of pressed onto the fuel lifter? I cannot get mine to fit on? Do I need to try to chamfer it a little with some sandpaper?

[Elite Engineering]

The scouring you show most likely came from one of two causes. One, is a broken ringland from LSPI as was already mentioned, the other is from intake valve deposits as they break loose are hard and crystalline in structure from the higher heat GDI engines run with. While most will be expelled out the exhaust ports, some is always pushed between the cylinder wall and piston and that is the main cause of scouring. If you can catch your finger nail in the scratch, it needs attention. If not, you should be fine. But, I don't see any pictures of inside your cylinder heads intake ports. The easiest cleaning of the
coking deposits is with the heads off. Please share a few pictures of the back sides of your intake valves and your miles on the engine. This will allow others to judge how severe they are at similar miles.


Cheers!!

[cmitchell17]

80k Miles