I’m in the process of replacing the head gasket on my 97 prairie 400 4x4, have the top end off an working on scraping off the old gaskets at the moment. The kit I ordered came with both gaskets, exhaust seals, valve stem oil seals, an I think the valve cover seals. Figured I’d go ahead an use everything that came in the kit whether it needed it or not.

But a few things i was wondering, is if there was anything else i should go ahead an swap out while i have it apart. An what works best to clean all the internal parts? I was told brake cleaner isn’t bad, but wanted to see what else. An finally, working around the timing chain is a bit of a pain since i have to slip everything over it while trying to keep tension. If i let it drop, while keeping a wire on it, is it even worse to get it back on the sprocket? Thanks in advance for any advice. May be a few more questions i haven’t thought of yet.

 

I have found it handy to have an extra pir of hands at the ready, I use a gun scrubber spray to clean off old gaskets.

 

Take the cylinder off and check the top ring gap and bore/piston for scores and wear. If the bore/piston are OK but the rings worn (I would guess at 0.025" max gap) fit a new set of rings. Grind the valves in when you have the springs off to fit the seals. Inlet rarely needs much but exhaust valve and seat usually have pounded in lumps of carbon to grind away. I wouldn't use brake cleaner in an engine, it removes oil, often leaving the dirt behind on the component, and dries too quickly. I personally use fuel, cheaper and it works fine, but there is that fire risk, so no naked flames or sparks anywhere near. Paraffin is safer but not quite as thorough and the residue takes an age to dry.

Baked on gasket is bad to remove. I use proper gasket remover spray and even then it isn't easy with a scraper. The gasket remover smells and looks an awful lot like paint remover gel.

 

Thanks for the advice, I’ll use gas to clean it all up. I haven’t had time to work on it until now. Currently working on cleaning an then replacing the valve stem oil seals. A question on those seals though, are they the same between intake an exhaust? The kit i got dosnt specify, an they look nearly identical.

 

Never done a 400 but both seals are usually the same on engines, so your "nearly identical" puzzles me a bit. Grind the valves in before fitting new seals.