head surface cleaning

["Perez Oscar (INDY)" <PerezO@domain.elided>]

Hello- 
 
I know it's very important to clean the Head's mating surfaces when
replacing a head gasket.  I'm trying to avoid a leaking head gasket in the
future.  Anyone that has ever done this job has probably dealt with the
remnant gasket that adheres to one surface or another.  What's the best way
to clean the mating surfaces with out damaging them??  I have tried solvents
with a shop rag-- that's not going to cut it.  Last night I left the head
soaking in just enough gas to soak the surface that mates with the block- I
hope that loosens this up- any other tricks out there?  This is my first
time with this job and I'm sure there are tricks I haven't thought of.  

Also, KUDOS to Tom Sahines for the great head removal tool design.  Easy to
make and worked great!!  I never liked the idea of using the spark plug
threads to pull the head- his tool doesn't use them at all.

Thanks 

Oscar 
91 Spider
Indy  

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