got the nerves up !!!!
 

Well, I finally worked up the nerve to pull the leaky head off !!! was not that bad.....

what i found, leak was in the front as you can see
http://jlefantephoto.smugmug.com/Mac...37_n7A54-M.jpg

carbon !!!!!
http://jlefantephoto.smugmug.com/Mac...97_gKCWX-M.jpg

dirty head
http://jlefantephoto.smugmug.com/Mac...21_VSQpf-M.jpg

head gettin clean, I have to get a piece of glass tomorrow and try the sandpaper trick.
http://jlefantephoto.smugmug.com/Mac...60_EWpwo-L.jpg

there was alot of carbon on top of the larger valve and the smaller one was white in color, cleaned them up as well. What should i clean the surface with so the head gasket seals right ?
http://jlefantephoto.smugmug.com/Mac...94_bTvh9-M.jpg

rest for the night
http://jlefantephoto.smugmug.com/Mac...20_DRrsD-L.jpg

I typically wipe down the gasket mating surface with mineral spirits to remove anything loose that wasn't scraped off, and then I squirt a bit of oil around the edge of the piston to replace any oil that excess mineral spirits may have washed away. I have also used brake cleaner, as it will dissolve carbon deposits (and LOTS of other things...be careful! The fumes are nasty and you don't want to get any of that in the rings, either).

Very good Jason,
I knew you could do it.
I just use lacquer thinner to prep before I put on the head gasket.

thanks
 

Thanks matt, should i use some fine sand paper to go over the block? just want to make sure its clean enough. i can tell this was all off before, there was some antiseize on the bolts and they all came out very easy. I think i will clean them off since they were in great shape.

ha ha
 

the funny thing is i was very intimidated doing this, but I have changed head gaskets in my old mustang before ha ha......this is much faster haha.

I would not use sandpaper, as you'll just get sand in the bore, rings, valve guides, etc...not good.

so basically just clean it up with some mineral spirts and be on my way?

Yeah, and maybe a scotch-brite pad if you're careful...those leave a residue too. It doesn't really have to be surgically clean. I usually scrape off as much crap as I can with a razor blade and then wipe everything down with mineral spirits.

i actually used a scotch brite pad with a little brake clean on it. worked good
i will put a little oil around the piston before i reasemble it. should there only be 1 washer on each of the head bolts? the bolts, not the studs....

Over the years I have seen well meaning folks use scotch bright pads to excess and cause problems.
There are newer auto engines that have a spec on head/block surfaces so the gasket doesn’t creep/leak.
I would just make sure that the block is clean, and the head is flat.
When using the emery cloth/glass method, use a figure "8" movement pattern and keep turning the head so you get a even surface with your hand.
You say a few bolts were not as tight as the others, make sure you re torque the head after a good warm up/cool down cycle.