Cleaning surface where heads meet block...

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For the first pass I use one of the rubber gasket removers on a rotary tool; for final clean up a very fine emery cloth or sand paper (1200 grit) lubed with some wd40. The oil traps all the particles so you can just wipe it off with a shop rag, so spray it in the cylinders as well. They can be wiped down afterwards too. Of course, cover as much of the rest of the block (the parts you aren't working on) as you can to keep debris out.
 
i have even had decent luck with a scotchbrite pad. dont know if that is bad or not (dont see how it would be).
 
I get that and 1500 grit at Home Depot or Lowes. It's also perfect for lightly polishing cams and cranks using oil as a lubricant, and just lightly going over things. Don't want to remove too much material. Cut it into long strips, wrap it around a lobe or journal, and wrap a leather boot lace around it so you can pull it back and forth. Works great.