Steven

    Use a putty knife on the gasket, it's strong enough to remove the gasket
but not sharp enough to gouge the soft surface. To clean out the hole, go to
a hardware or auto parts store and get a tap of the correct size. Take a
bolt and nut to make sure you get the correct size. Gently screw it in the
hole and clean up the existing threads. Make sure you get it started in the
existing threads, don't force it, so you don't cut new threads and distroy
the old ones. Also while your at the parts store get some "anti seeze" to
put on the new bolts. That's good insurance incase you have to remove
anything again. And as things go, since you've used it you won't have to
remove it again!

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steven Johnson" <sjohnso2000@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2000 8:45 AM
Subject: Need help with old gasket removal

> Hi all,
>
> Well, I've started the task of replacing the
> flange & gasket for the coolant leak I've had
> for a while and had a bear of a time removing
> the top allen bolt.  Ended up using a vise grip
> as the allen hole ended up stripping.  I was
> just happy that I had something the vise grip
> could bite in to.  Had to remove the alternator
> to get some room for rotation.  When I finally
> got the bolt out I only saw a small single 1/2
> filing so I'm optimistic about being able to
> screw in a new bolt but I would like some advice
> on how best to clean out the bolt hold in the
> head.
>
> Also, the remaining old gasket is pretty well
> sealed to the head.  Any tips on how you other
> folks remove baked on gaskets?  I'm thinking a
> chisel or something similar.  A razor tool is
> not going to do anything but break.  Is there
> a chemical solution?
>
> Thanks for the help...
>
> Steven Johnson
> '91 Camper
> Tewksbury, MA
>
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