Screwed up, used Scotch Brite..now what?

[my9302002]

Now I read the threads....
Used Scotch Brite on the block deck surface to clean off the old gaskets, also on the aluminum intake.
Have read of horror stories about bearing failures.....I cleaned and vacuumed the pistons/cylinders and the oil valley. What else can I do?
As far as the aluminum intake, I have very fine swirls, will this be ok or do I have to take it to have a "clean up" milling?

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

You're probably ok. Just make sure to change the oil sooner than you normally would. I would probably go buy the cheapest parts store brand oil, run it for 10 minutes, or so, and then change over to the normal oil I would use, just to get any crud out of the engine that may have dropped in.

 

[my9302002]

That's what I plan to do ...
I used light pressure on the aluminum, still have slight swirl marks. Does it need to be milled cause of this? It's not like I can catch a fingernail when I go over the surface.

 

[Chuckman]

That's what I plan to do ...
I used light pressure on the aluminum, still have slight swirl marks. Does it need to be milled cause of this? It's not like I can catch a fingernail when I go over the surface.

should be alright, thats what gaskets are for, even milling doesnt leave a perfectly smooth or flat surface. as long as its not warped, it should still seal up. a scotch bright pad doesnt really take off a whole lot of material.

 

[Wart]

Interesting.

When I was doing fleet maintenance my boss, Mr. Goodwrench (certified GM "mechanic") used a die grinder with Scotchbrite pad to clean Everything. Aluminum, Iron, didn't matter.

I asked him about the gouges and heavy scratches he was making, he said silicone handles those.



I asked about the contamination hes slinging through the engine (etc.), he says he uses rags and ... the oil goes through a filter, don't it?



I knew I was in the presence of a Master. A Master of what is the question.

No need to ask why I cringe at the thought of a Flat Rate "mechanic' touching anything whether it's mine or someone else's.

 

[my9302002]

Thanks guys...

 

[NIKwoaC]

should be alright, thats what gaskets are for, even milling doesnt leave a perfectly smooth or flat surface. as long as its not warped, it should still seal up. a scotch bright pad doesnt really take off a whole lot of material.

+1. Just cleaning up the gasket surfaces with Scotch Brite isn't going to cause a vacuum/coolant/oil leak with the intake. I'd just be worried about abrasives getting mixed up with your piston rings and engine bearings. Clean things up, do the prescribed oil change thing as said above, and don't lose sleep over it.

 

[90lxcoupe]

i'd hit it with some compressed air and brake clean a few times and then reassemble.

 

[dcstang67]

i'd hit it with some compressed air and brake clean a few times and then reassemble.

and change your oil and filter before you start the car again.