Preparation, preparation, preparation. That’s the general consensus when it comes to preparing engine surfaces for gasket installation, according to this video from the fine folks at Fel-Pro Gaskets.

The Fel-Pro Field Test Garage is where the company does just that — field tests their products for fitment and engineering purposes. In this video, hosted by technician John Gurnig, field preparation for many different types of gaskets is discussed.

Gasketing materials run the gamut from basic paper gaskets to high-tech rubber-impregnated valve cover gaskets and multi-layer steel head gaskets, and each of these material requires a different type of surface preparation to ensure a proper seal is achieved when the components are fastened together.

Most importantly, he mentions that the surfaces should be clean, dry, and free of any foreign material. Cylinder heads especially require careful cleaning to ensure that the finish is not altered form the proper Ra finish to ensure the gasket’s sealing abilities are left intact upon installation.

He covers other tools including gasket scrapers and razor blades that can be used, including a brass wire bush to be used on aluminum surfaces, and even rifle brushes for bolt-hole cleaning.

Often, in an application where multi-layer steel head gaskets are used, some of the rubber gasket coating can transfer to the cylinder head, and in this case he recommends using a carbide-tipped scraper to gently remove those bits, and follow with the rotary tool-mounted wire wheel.

It’s important to ensure that the proper tools are used for the proper application. Check out the video for more useful tips.

For more information on the complete line of Fel-Pro products for your engine, check out their website.