HELP WITH WATER PUMP HOUSING CLEANUP!!

So in the middle of a timing belt on a 5vzfe. Trying to clean up this water pump housing. It had this nasty baked on paper gasket. Been scraping with a razor perpendicular to the surface for an entire afternoon.. Now that i took a pic and zoomed in it seems like the surface has these micro scratches or gouges on it in some areas. When I run my finger it feels smooth. Am I ok? Or did I f this up? Also do I need to leave it spotless in order for the new water pump to seal properly? Any help is truly appreciated! Thanks!!

 

When i replace engine parts, i always use an aluminum oxide sanding sponge, then clean it with brake cleaner. its normally very smooth after that and the silicon fills in the imperfections. make sure everything is very clean before you lay down the sealant, just my opinion.

kinda looks like your leaking oil at the valve covers?

 

Thanks for your reply. So I haven't screwed this up? I wasn't planning on using sandpaper to smooth out the surface but I guess I could put some Sandpaper on a block to sand flat. I bought the aircabin man kit so i have the Aisin water pump with the metal gasket. Would it be a good idea to add a bead of rtv on the housing for a better seal? And yup. If i can get through this timing belt I need to fix my valve cover leaks.

 

The aluminum oxide is very fine, i wouldnt use sand paper. I use red gasket maker with the gasket, make sure you use the correct sealant.

 

The aluminum oxide sponge only preps the surface, u dont want to dig into it or scratch it.

Are u sure the water pump is a metal gasket? I dont remember it being metal. Metal gasket is normally for manifolds and heads

 

I thought it was metal. I'll check and get back to you. Harbor freight has some fine grit aluminum oxide sponges. I'm going to give those a try.

 

its fine, put the pump back on.....

 

Put it on as is? Even those scratches and some gunk left?

 

can you feel it?
doesnt look bad....
or if not in a hurry...
get some, stuff works amazingly, we use it to prep blocks & heads, removing exactly what your struggling with.
I wouldn't stress on the scratches, or you could try polishing it out with a fine scratch bite pad, I wouldn't use san paper...
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/motorcraft/motorcraft-remover-silicone/mot0/zc30a

this chemical & plastic scraper, or carefully with a razor blade, even go over it with this chemical & just polishing it out with a shop rag...

 

This

 

If I run my finger across it, I can't feel it. It's feels smooth to the touch. I'm not in a hurry. I just want to do this job right and not have to go back. I might have to order that chemical. I tried a crc gasket remover, it helped a little bit but, nothing to rave about.

 

Fine emery cloth. Attach it to a small block of wood, or use it just with your hand. It will smoothen out the surface and take off the remaining baked on stuff. I'm a mechanic and use it daily on head surfaces, water pump surfaces, etc.

 

I have used these for decades A little WD40 and very light pressure, you will feel when it is clean.