I'm replacing my intake manifold gaskets and cleaning out the crossover on my 318. I just finished cleaning the intake gasket surfaces with a scraper and a wire wheel (which is a wonderful new tool to me, I come from working on all-aluminum stuff you can score up with a cheap screwdriver).

Usually I just plug ports with some paper towels, but I'm used to working on upright inline engines, not V engines where the ports are at an angle and consequently stuff can fall down inside pretty easy. I have the rockers and valley sealed off with masking tape and saran wrap. What works well to block off the intake ports but still allow cleaning AROUND the intake ports? It seems like using paper towels could potentially let debris slide past when I pull them out, even if I vacuum when I'm done.

I know this is probably a dumb question, but if there's a better way than layering masking tape over the port and then xacto-knifing around it, it'd save me a lot of time.

Stuff paper towels and vacuum it out , I would be cause with a wire wheel ...

get some foam rubber, cut into chunks, and insert into ports/bores.

i have my son work the shop vac holding it right at the scraper or wire wheel

I prefer the rol loc scothbrite pads for cleaning the gasket surfaces

I have also bald up tape and work the sticky side out,then stuff it into the ports,this will let stuff stick to the tape and come out when removed.

wipe it all down with brake clean on a rag(so you dont get any in the oil) then install gaskets/intake.

good suggestions & I'd definitely stay aware (& you are) that the wheel is going to sling it everywhere far and wide

If you have a steel or carbide burr you can use that .... but on a drill .. not a HS grinder.

JUST HAVE someone hold a vac close to the area you are working ...and you don't need anything else.

I have my wheel on a drill, not a grinder, so I don't need to make stuff go whizzing everywhere. Though I did make it snow in my garage just for fun when I was doing my intake manifold :P
The sticky-side-out ball of tape is a great idea. Thanks guys.

I have always found a single edge razor blade to work well removing gaskets and keeping the mess, and damage to gasket surfaces , to a minimum.

One of the great things about the gasoline engine is that it can tolerate material that is softer than aluminum. It'll pass through. Even screws go through although they most of the time leave marks on the piston. It may get caught in the muffler if the incinerating action of the combustion process doesn't get it all.

In other words, I don't think you have anything to worry about unless you have a very unusual intake surface.

R.

Fill the ports w/shaving cream -> Clean gasket mating surfaces -> Suck the shaving cream out with your shop vac -> Assemble -> Enjoy!!