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How clean does a head surface really need to be?

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Old Aug 14, 2020 | 09:52 AM
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Default How clean does a head surface really need to be?

So I’ve got a pair of used 1200 heads going this weekend hopefully and I’ve gotten them pretty clean they just look like crap.

ive cleaned all the gasket off with gum cutter and a razor, smooth to the touch... like if you were blind folded you would think it’s just been machined. But the aluminum is stained. Also the old gasket put very tiny little pits in it.

Has as anyone ever had a gasket blow?
What are your methods for cleaning surfaces? and I’m not keen on scotchbrite.

do I need absolutely need them decked?

there are no high spots I can feel or see with a straight edge. I would assume the most important place is the small area between the bolt holes and where the cylinder wall starts.

ha don’t bash me for trying to cut corners or anything.

also going with a cosmetic gasket.




 
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Old Aug 15, 2020 | 08:10 AM
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Them looks clean enough to me
 
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Old Aug 15, 2020 | 10:09 PM
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Yep gave em a few more scrapes, pretty smooth....... we gon find out tomorrow.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2020 | 10:16 PM
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If you can't catch a fingernail while dragging it over the flats your good.
 
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Old Aug 15, 2020 | 10:54 PM
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They look almost ready.
If they were mine, I'd lightly run my flat stone over the deck to make sure they are free of any high spots.
Use a little piece of sand paper and just soften the sharp edge around the chamber a little more.
Deburr the spark plug hole. Those burrs are a big no-no.
Remove the exhaust studs.
The chamber looks funny. It looks like you did a valve job but somehow left the carbon intact? Not sure what I'm seeing there.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2020 | 07:20 AM
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Aren't those older 1100 "bathtub" heads?

John
 

Last edited by John Harper; Aug 16, 2020 at 07:26 AM.
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Old Aug 16, 2020 | 07:33 AM
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By hand use scotch brite pads and stronge (90%) rubbing alcohol. Soak the pad and clean the surface.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2020 | 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Hankthetank
So I’ve got a pair of used 1200 heads going this weekend hopefully and I’ve gotten them pretty clean they just look like crap.

ive cleaned all the gasket off with gum cutter and a razor, smooth to the touch... like if you were blind folded you would think it’s just been machined. But the aluminum is stained. Also the old gasket put very tiny little pits in it.

Has as anyone ever had a gasket blow?
What are your methods for cleaning surfaces? and I’m not keen on scotchbrite.

do I need absolutely need them decked?

there are no high spots I can feel or see with a straight edge. I would assume the most important place is the small area between the bolt holes and where the cylinder wall starts.

ha don’t bash me for trying to cut corners or anything.

also going with a cosmetic gasket.


Shinin` like a *****`s eyes on payday...... ............ I take that back.... `Ain`t nothin` that shiny!
 

Last edited by hvacgaspiping; Aug 16, 2020 at 01:26 PM. Reason: added comment
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Old Aug 16, 2020 | 05:27 PM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by John Harper
Aren't those older 1100 "bathtub" heads?

John
no, they’re 2004 1200’s hammer performance has a nice article on the generations of heads.
 
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Old Aug 16, 2020 | 05:47 PM
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i used my zis wheel surfacing disk on my right angle air die grinder. i use it on hundreds of jobs. medium grit with air pressure set low so die grinder just barley spins so not to remove to much or create big heat first time with HD heads but worked good and the Cometic triple layer head gaskets really seal good. i have used them on other engines and know they work good
 
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