Trying to get block finish for MLS head gasket

[adam2001galant]

Ok my head has been resurfaced and I cleaned all the old gasket material off the block but during the process with the razor blade I tried to initially rush it and didn't do the greatest job and wasn't as careful as I should have been. I read several threads and nothing really had the exact answer I am looking for so please help.

I have two questions...

How do I remove the dowel pins from the block that line up the cylinder head?


I am going to sand the block with a machined piece of steel with oiled sand paper and various grits until I get smooth enough finish and get rid of any knicks or scratches from the razor blade..


What is the best way to go about plugging the coolant, oil, head bolt holes, and cylinders to prevent abrasives from getting into my engine?

I have an idea about the cylinders/pistons but open to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[hotrodssnova]

You can use a pair of vice grips or channel locks to remove the dowels. On the holes, I have used cotton rags. I jammed them in the holes good and tight, then cut them flush with the deck. I wouldn't go crazy with the "decking", you want it level with the crank bore, otherwise, the t belt might not ride on the gears correctly.

 

[tmoney20g]

Best method is as follows:
Get a hammer and tap the dowel INTO the block. Just a quick light tap. This will loosen it up.

Then get a nice chisel. Work the dowel up out of the block by hammer/chiseling it up from the block. Start at the bottom, work your way around it, it'll come out so easy this way.

You can do the vise grips, I've tried both. The chisel is just a much better method. Got the idea from my machine shop, wouldn't go back to vise grips.

You might want to start watching these:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[adam2001galant]

Thank you for the replys and the video was very helpful in letting me know how precise I need to be when trying to attempt to refinish the block surface and seal this head gasket. I bought a kit that included a basic two layer steel gasket but I've read that felpro makes a head MLS gasket for the 4G64 that can seal up to 60 RA which might make my chances better at successfully sealing the engine.

Im just waiting for a friend to bring me back a machined flat steel block from his jobs machine shop so I can make sure I am using something extremely flat.