EVO All Evo Model Discussion

Base Gasket Removal

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Old Mar 21, 2020 | 02:56 PM
  #1  
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Default Base Gasket Removal

I think the expression was "Hard as a wedding night dick!"

I'm looking for any suggestions on how to remove the base gaskets from my '93 Ultra.

My approach with the gaskets on the jugs has been to use SuperStrip (see pic) and take my time. I wanted to use a plastic scraper, but that seems futile, so I've resorted to using a razor blade scraper. I'm being very careful and I'm hoping that I'll be able to hone the surface flat with the lapping plate I had a friend fabricate for me.

Any suggestions on how to remove the gasket from the engine crankcase? I'm really afraid of getting **** in the case itself, but the best I've come up with is shoving rags inside as you can see. Also, if I scrape with a razor gasket scraper, there's no way for me to hone the surface afterwards. Will that be a problem?

Thanks!

-Dave



 
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Old Mar 21, 2020 | 03:31 PM
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I don't know what's in superstrip, but when I did mine, I used some aircraft paint stripper I got from an auto paint supply shop.

Nasty stuff.

Dabbed on with a qtip. Wait. Scrape. Repeat.

Couple of times through and the surfaces were spotless.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2020 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by 0maha
I don't know what's in superstrip, but when I did mine, I used some aircraft paint stripper I got from an auto paint supply shop.

Nasty stuff.

Dabbed on with a qtip. Wait. Scrape. Repeat.

Couple of times through and the surfaces were spotless.


One word - patience

Follow directions on the stripper can. I use Aircraft Paint Remover, but I'm sure what you have is very similar.
Generally, "paint" it on in one direction, not back and forth strokes. Put it on as thick as possible without slopping it on the paint. Leave it several hours. The gasket material will soak it up to a good degree. Work on the gaskets after it's soaked in and softened the gaskets. When it gets "hard" to remove material, slather more stripper on and walk away! Repeat until you get it off.

Again - patience! You won't get it done in one sitting
 
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Old Mar 21, 2020 | 03:47 PM
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The aircraft stripper is the real deal and the real stuff is being discontinued, some the shelf bought stripper barely cleans a paint gun. Get some of it on you and not a big deal, get some aircraft stripper on you and you best not scratch your butt.
 
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Old Mar 21, 2020 | 04:46 PM
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So,

Since my last post, I changed over to this Klean Strip stuff that I had on a shelf with all my other painting supplies...I forgot that it was there. It's much thicker than the SuperStrip and is doing a better job at removing the gasket.

So, I'm just putting a thick layer of it on the gasket, letting it sit for a while (a half-hour or so), and then scraping whatever comes off easily. Then, I re-apply.

-Dave


 
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Old Mar 21, 2020 | 05:09 PM
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Have your machinist true the bottoms of the cylinders, if they are already trued, keep working with the paint stripper...

Let that stripper soak in.

 
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Old Mar 22, 2020 | 07:01 AM
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Stripper, patients, and sharp razor blades.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2020 | 07:09 AM
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Trueing up the base flange cost me 20 bucks since the machinist already had the cylinders.

No more gasket, and a nice flat surface. Win, win. YD
 
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