Safe way ofcleaning gaskets of heads before header install

[BLADDER92FOX]

I recently got some ford motorsport shorties that i'm installing tomorrow morning in my car.Today after i got home from work i loosened all the exhaust botls and the header bolts to be ready for tomorrow. I was wondering about when i take the headers off tomorrow how much gasket material will be left over on the heads,and the safest way to clean it off without them laning inside the heads. I thought of a few things to do,but i want to hear what others have done. Also whats the best way to take them off to get the least amout of gasket material to scrape off. And also when i put the other headers on in what order should i bolt the bolts on. I got the felpro kit that has the gaskets for the headers and collectors.

 

[jrichker]

Use a razor blade scraper & some green Scotch-Brite scrubber pads form the grocery store.

 

[Marlboro_Man]

If your that worried about getting stuff in the exhaust ports you could use the old tampon trick. I've done it b4 to keep stuff out of my spark plug holes on various motors i've worked on.

Just have your wife/gf show you how to use one, put it in the hole you want, and when done pull the string out with your teeth !!!

 

[DeadLifter]

Most of the time the gaskets will just come right off from my experiences. If you get a little dirt in the exhaust port it'll all come out once you start the car no big deal.

 

[BLADDER92FOX]

Sam,and i found a box of tampons from my ex in my closet not too lonmg ago,lol. I figured out what i'm going to do now though.I'll keep ya posted.I also decided to paint my MAS and the holder for it aluminum color while i'm at it too.

 

[BLADDER92FOX]

Well i'm done taking one header off and cleaning the manifold,about to take a break now and eat and then go to install the pass side header.The i'm going to buy jackstands cause i need them to put my exhaust back together again when i'm done.