Hi, I've just taken the head off my 244. First time I've been this deep into a motor. (Mazdas, Mitsubishis etc don't last long enough!)

Fortunately, it was a burnt valve, and I've sent the head off to my mechanic to replace the valve and skim the head etc.

How do I clean the surface of the block. There are a few bits of head gasket (just a thin fibrous stuff), and carbon etc.

I started buffing it with a scotchbrite disk on my cordless drill, but that wouldn't take off the gasket bits. A paint scraper seems better, but is that likely to damage the surface?

Also, the oil and water gallery holes, as well as the cylinder bores? How do I stop the stuff I clean off the block going down them? I stuffed bits of rag in them, but they keep getting caught in the disk. Bits of carbon from the head and gasket have already gone all over the bore and down the gallery holes.

Also, should I try scraping the carbon off the top of the pistons while I've got it apart?

I feel there must be a better way. Any ideas?

thanks

Alan