Gasket Replacement????

[two85atc250r's]

How clean do the gasket surfaces need to be before I start putting this motor all back together? Do they need to be cleaned all back down to the bare aluminum? Do I need to sand or steel wool them or just scrape really good with a razor blade? Thanks.

[xlr810]

Yes. You've got to clean your cases down to bare metal.

No. Don't use steel wool. You could gouge into the aluminum and make low spots.

Razor blade is the best bet. Use a little parts cleaner fluid or something similar to soften the gaskets a bit for easier scraping.

[two85atc250r's]

Could I maybe use a little die grinder or a green scratch pad to get it clean?

[xlr810]

I wouldn't do either of those to my cases. Oil and air leaks stink!

[chris46250r]

Originally posted by xlr810
Yes. You've got to clean your cases down to bare metal.

No. Don't use steel wool. You could gouge into the aluminum and make low spots.

Razor blade is the best bet. Use a little parts cleaner fluid or something similar to soften the gaskets a bit for easier scraping.

Steel wool will gouge and a razor blade will not?

[ny250r]

I just rebuilt my whole motor and I used a green scotchbrite pad and kerosene to remove the old gasket material. Worked great. I put the cases in my parts washer and let them soak overnight. Peeled the gaskets and what was left, the scotchbrite did the trick.

[300exkid123]

razor blade is the way ive always done it and never had any problems

[chris46250r]

I have always used a razor blade scraper also. I just didn't understand the comment about steel wool versus a razor blade.

[norcalduner]

There is a product out there made by Kent Automotive called Gasket and Carbon Stripper that you can use if all else fails.

BTW i just finished doing my motor using a razor blade and wire brush and have had no problems. Held 6psi of pressure for 10 minutes without any loss although I can see how using a blade can cause some low spots.

[LONG-ROD]

I just did mine with 220 grit paper then 600 grit. I have done 4 like this and has worked great. My thoughts on the matter are gaskets are mde to fill small scratches so I do a circular pattern almost to cross hatch the surface. Seems better than 4 smooth surface's but together.

[86250rbanshee]

If I have gasket that I am having trouble with I use stuff called ZEP off, ZEP Mfg makes it it works very very good, make sure in well ventilated area and wear gloves it will eat right threw gloves, I had to pair of nitrles on and ate right threw. Nasty stuff but man does it work other than that a nice straight razor works wonders.

[regg187]

perma tex makes a gasket remover available at autozone that has methyl chloride that works wonder, methl chloride is the stuf in spray on paint stripper. it is mean stuff, take precautions. razor blades will work fine but I have seen them gouge before(operator error) . also yamabond #4 was a great sealent for cases in the old days. built many a jet ski motors with it and their cases notoriously leaked after being split.

[bansheeboyo]

do i need to put anything on to the gasket or case to help it seal ?
my last gasket replacement was like a sive

[bansheeboyo]

some one please help me
going to dunes tomorrow morning and bike is in bits