what's best way to remove old gasket?

The clutch cover's been taken off and I always used a chisel to scrape off the old gaskets when I was a kid.

That was dumb, as the aluminum edges of the gasket surfaces on the motor are no match for a hardened steel chisel.

So now that I'm working on bikes again *and* am a bit wiser (at least wise enough to ask) -- what's the best way, the best tool and/or solvent (?) product to remove
gaskets from gasket sealing surfaces on engines without
damaging the engine's metal edge?

oven cleaner and a plasic putty knife

Way to go Jimmy!

I was going to say a steel putty knife with softened corners. Never thought about oven cleaner.

Bill

I used store bought gasket remover and it worked good. It is probably just oven cleaner tho. :laugh: I used a xacto chisel blade. Keep the bevel down so it doesn't want to dig. I will try oven cleaner and a plastic scraper next time. Worth a shot.

Sounds perfect, have not tried it, sounds excellent, I just don't want to damage the mating surface.
thanks!

A piece of sharpened Lexan or Plexiglass and oven cleaner(be careful around anodized parts as it will remove the coating)should have the old gasket off.

I used a box cutter razer but I have been deburring machined parts (been a machinst for 10 years and not a button pusher the real deal) so if your good u can do it and if u nick something just sand off the burr or file it

Brake fluid will dissolve most gaskets. I use a single sided razor blade to scrape the flanges, then polish with scotchbrite pad.

bountyhunter wrote:

Brake fluid will dissolve most gaskets. I use a single sided razor blade to scrape the flanges, then polish with scotchbrite pad.

Thanks, was worried about getting oven cleaner on the anodized parts of the engine cases -- the brake fluid will be much easier to control as it's applied -- thanks.

right angle die grinder with a scotchbrite pad.

txturbo wrote:

right angle die grinder with a scotchbrite pad.

I'm not familiar with this tool, a 'right angle die grinder' -- is it a handheld tool that has a right-angled drill head on it and you attach round buffing wheels or grinding pads onto it? (just guessing here....)

I would use a drill its safer with scotchbrite pad