I've about had it

Ok the head is off. I am, carefully, disassembling it. How do I clean the head itself.

I have chem dip for the parts, but how do I take care of this mass of metal?

Also, do I clean the piston heads while I have access to them?

Finally, how do I clean the rusty parts where the head and block meet especially on the block?

Any other re-assembly advice is certainly welcome, from gasket advice to tips n tricks...

Special thanks again to Mlew who let me borrow his special tool.

 

Since the head is big and the ChemDip can is small find the smallest container the head will fit in. Pour the cleaner in and start scrubbing, be sure to wear gloves that stuff will burn if it stays on you too long.
You can clean the piston tops with a plactic scraper. You will need a air compressor to blow all the stuff off because it will get between the piston and cylinder. Air is the only way to get it all out.
A scotch-brite pad will clean the rust off the cylinder . I have a air die grinder to help me with that in the shop. I have scotch-brite pads for it and it takes the rust right off.
If the mating surfaces are clean the only sealer I use is around the oil supply hole for the cams. Just a little indian head gasket sheliac if there is no sealer provided on the new head gasket.
Upon reassembly pay close attention to the cam chain timing. The chain can sometines slip on the crank sprocket throwing the timing off and bending valves. When it is back together slowly turn the crank with a wrench while looking at the cams to be sure they are moving like they should. I have missed this one before and had to tear it back down again.
I'll PM my phone # if you need to call me. I can talk faster than I can type.

 

Thanks!

Oh, is there a good thread on how to get the timing right on this thing?

I'll pour through the manual some tonight too. Re assembly is tomorrow as long as all my valves are straight. There was so much carbon buildup they were definitely not seating properly... and there is no evidence as of yet, that they were hitting the pistons. We will see as I soldier on.

I'll probably bring it (the head) over to your place tomorrow, if you have time, to get the shims dead nut on.

 

I strongly advise both you guys to heed this warning, do not use compressed air to blow the Carbon off the piston crowns that you just scraped off. You do not want this residue to get in between the piston and cylinders or you are going to have a really short run on that engine. The residue is very abrasive, almost like diamond dust. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the scrapings.

 

well... I don't think that'll be a problem anymore.

Woke up early this morning to get a good head start on finishing that head and reassembling... I uncovered my baby (pistons exposed) at about 6:30 am.

I ran out to home depot to get a pan large enough to fit my whole head into so I can put it in, and chem dip...
well Lowes doesn't open until 8, so i start heading back...

one drop... two drops... RAIN

I race home, clean off the pistons with the water that had collected (not much) and cover the bike back up.

Should i just go ahead and pull my engine out, and take out the block?
Is what happened today detrimental to my engine?

 

It's only a problem if you let it set like that for weeks or months, just soak the pistons and cylinders with WD-40.

 

cool, that's the first thing i did after covering it. thanks