I use carb cleaner and compressed air to clean matting surfaces before applying the gasket or sealant. Make sure the compressed air does not have moisture or oil. The compressed air works good drying carb cleaner that has gotten into bolt holes. If you do not have compressed air clean Old T shirts ( or someone elses new one ) will work fine....make sure there is nothing lurking in the bolt holes that will squeeze out when the bolt is threaded in, ruining the job.

Actually... I heard to use brake cleaner instead... carb cleaner leaves a residue, but brake cleaner is made to evaporate without leaving anything behind.

I use just a sharp gasket scraper and if needed a one edge razor. For sealant I use the thinest smear of gasket maker which is really not needed but if you are back there again it makes the job easier, T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston
http://acsource.net/acforum/index.php