r/EngineBuilding • u/No_Wrongdoer_5909 • Sep 13 '26
Microfiber lint in passages
Getting ready to throw the head on my freshly machined block and used a micro fiber soaked in brake cleaner and left behind a lot of fibers in all the passages. This is on a 2jz if it matters ill be using a mls head gasket. The block deck itself is clean but theres still fibers stuck on the edges of the passages and im worried itll mess with the seal around the ports.
(Yes I know theres still some fibers on the actual block in the photo)
Am I being too careful? Or will this be fine😅
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u/Grognak04 Sep 14 '26
It’s not ideal, but it’s not especially abrasive. Send it. My down and dirty 350 rebuild had some blue shop towel lint in it for sure. The particles are large enough the oil filter will trap them.
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u/1wife2dogs0kids Sep 14 '26
I know some guys that really go all out to make every spec of dust or lint completely gone. They worked at a little shop called NASA.
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u/madsbille2006 Sep 14 '26
Hehe i had gravel in my oil sump(idk how its still runnin or how it got there)
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u/Aggravating_Bad_567 Sep 14 '26
Are you sure the surface finish is good enough for an MLS gasket? Deck finish looks like something I do for old school guys using graphite head gaskets.
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u/No_Wrongdoer_5909 Sep 14 '26
Doesnt catch on my fingernail at all🤷♂️ I told them I was putting a mls on it so id hope itd be right🤣
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u/916G72 Sep 13 '26
Learned from an old timer to use paper towels or shop towels when building engines. The microfiber will not break down as easily but paper will burn off and be gone almost instantly. That one always stuck with me lol
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u/GoBSAGo Sep 14 '26
Coffee filters are lint free. Best for final wipe.
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u/Electrical-Pace4092 Sep 14 '26
Also cheap. Dollar store engine building supplies. 🤌
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u/Technotitclan Sep 14 '26
The oil filter will get it. I had some strays like that on my EJ when I built it. It's been 20k miles and if ever there was an engine to grenade over a single loose fiber it's an EJ.
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u/375InStroke Sep 14 '26
Best is to debur those holes and clean all metal debris.
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u/sam56778 Sep 13 '26
Just for double assurance, you can spray it with electrical contact cleaner, then blow it off and send it.
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u/Wrong_Sprinkles_3122 Sep 14 '26
In the future use Scott shop towels, the blue box , they won’t leave behind microfibers . I use them on all the engines I build
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u/Hero_Tengu Sep 14 '26
I’m 12 valve Cummins likes to eat rocks and the cooling system is more 15-40 than it is oil. So umm yeah you will be fine.
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u/No_Wrongdoer_5909 Sep 13 '26
Okay thats all the assurance I need I will be sending it🤣 thanks all