Exhaust Gasket Removal???

[gmoore]

Is there any tricks that anyone knows of that makes the removal of old exhaust gaskets from the head any easier? I'm having a hell of a time and I'm afraid I'll end up ruining them AND not be able to remove them.

Thanks!

[hampshirehog]

Just pry them out with a screwdriver. I've never had any problem removing these - even on real old scrappers they usually just fall out after a poke.

[Larry D]

Just rip them outta there, go ahead and ruin them, you can't re-use them anyway.

[keman]

I used a dental pick, but a small blade screwdriver under an outter edge and a gentle pry to pull them away from the edge should do the trick.

As stated above, you can't re-use them, so the only worry is to not damage the head while pulling them out.

[Agemax]

if all else fails.........air chisel

[blowerbike]

cotter key remover...
aka screw driver w/ 90 degree bent end w/ point.
great tool with multiple purposes!

[DanTheMan]

I use a packing puller like we had on board ship for removing valve stem packing material from steam valves. No, mine aren't Navy tools, I bought them at a tool supply store like Thomas Tools.

[Smellii]

I had the same problem recently, thought they would never come out. Screwdriver or anything like it wouldn't work. I ended up using some needle-nose pliers and pressing as hard as I could while pinching them as deep as possible. Got them all out in about 15 minutes using this method.

[1_v8_merc]

Jackhammer

[Vmass]

Jackhammer

If you use the jackhammer method, be sure to have a helper to steady the bike.......ask me how I know