what to do before the new head goes on...

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fjman

fjman

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My cylinder head replacement should be here thursday. Is there anything I should do before reassembling it. The tops of the pistons are all black and cruddy, what can i use to clean them? And whats under the engine's side cover. I think I messed the seal up a little bit. If it doesn't seal correctly, will something bad happen?
 
I would clean the tops of the pistons with a flat blade and wire brush, making sure that nothing is gouged. I'd use a flat blade to make sure that no gasket or sealant (or anything else) is left on the top of the block. Definitely replace the rocker cover gasket/seal, otherwise it will leak oil over your engine. Clean inside the rocker cover with degreaser and wipe clean with a clean rag.

I used a new paint scraper (cheap) and sharpened the blade with sandpaper, and then a sharpening stone to make sure that it is nice and flat.

Rodd
 
Drill & tap the oil galley plug. Easy to do with the head off.

The side cover just covers the pushrods. Its easiest to do it with the distributor removed. You might as well replace the gasket. If its original, its probablyy leaking. The oil runs down the block and looks like a rear main leak.
 
You can chip off the crud with a piece of hardwood & a hammer - hard rock maple works great. Won't damage the piston. Figure something out to stuff between the piston & the cylinder walls so you don't get crud down there - like string.
 
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