Gasket Remover?

[cgedwards]

What is the easiest way to remove old gasket remnants? I took the oil pan off of the Spitfire and now I want to re-install it. I have a new gasket but the old one isn’t coming off very easily. Normally I would just use a scraper/razor blade and the arm strong method, but since the engine is still in the car working underneath it is a real pain. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Chad

[20v101]

since your scraping the block you would want to use a flat edge on the mating surface while cleaning it. A razorblade at the proper angle works, or ive used really sharp *like new* chisels. The chisel gave me some reach. I had no choice as when i tried other ways, it leaked.

[crash]

I find the razor works best snap off and Mac make a long handled one that helps get over front crossmembers but with the extra leverage you break blades . if you can get it in there an angle buffer ( air powered ) with a new 2" 3m buffer wheel cleanes up the surface like new (but not in the corners ) I sure miss my 69 mk3 spitfire
Cheers Rob

[917guy]

You are lucky you are scraping cast iron. Aluminum gouges so easily. In those cases, chemically softening the goo helps. Careful scraping is still possible, but not under a car. Makes nitrile gaskets more attractive, as they come off more completely than paper and cork. Gasket glue (lacquer and resin-based) always adds to your work load. Silicone is so soft it comes off easily, even from Magnesium and Aluminum. Paper and cork/ fiber based gaskets can be softened by soaking in water for an hour. Just get it a bit wet; do not soak in a sink. They shrink by up to 7% as the material dries, so if you do not soak them, the bolts do not even line up.

There is a lot more to gasket technology: I have presented soft-gasket research test methods and results in 2001 and 2003 at the SAE World Congress, and at other conferences.

David

[cgedwards]

I was finally able to get everything cleaned off. I ended up getting some chemical gasket remover from PartSource. After spraying the old gasket down with it I was able to scrape it off using a razor blade for most of it and a new chisel for some of the harder to reach areas. Everything is back together and so far there isn't any leaks.