Kevin---Chances are good that the "black glue" that you see is not the
remnants of a head gasket, but some type of sealer painted on both block
and head by whoever did this job last. PERMATEX makes a gasket remover
that comes in an aerosol can. It may be nothing more than plain ol'
lacquer thinner with a base to keep it from running all over, but it
works.
I use this on pan and rocker covers, where the flanges are hard to
clean. Available at most auto supply stores.
I've never found it necessary to use anything on the head gasket, when
both head and block were cleaned well before buttoning up the engine.
New head gasket material must be better now than at one time in the
past.
Dick T.
'73
|