horseman with no horse 62 #1 Posted Monday at 04:42 AM i got some light scratching on my deck from ye ol razer blade. im almost convinced i could get away with running it, maybe copper coating the graphoil gaskets. but i still wouldnt mind exploring the possibility of sanding down the deck a smidge. would 1000 grit and a nice piece of flat wood work? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horseman with no horse 62 #2 Posted Monday at 04:43 AM (edited) i can post a video , it BARELY catches my finger nail but not actually catches it, more like a little friction Edited Monday at 04:45 AM by horseman with no horse Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 45,321 #3 Posted Monday at 11:45 AM Deck or head? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 64,636 #4 Posted Monday at 12:23 PM 7 hours ago, horseman with no horse said: would 1000 grit and a nice piece of flat wood work? Don't know where you get your wood but I wouldn't count on it being flat enough to remove material for a flat surface. If your cylinder head has been flattened on a sheet of glass you could place it on the cylinder deck, lightly tighten the head bolts and use feeler gauges to check for irregularities. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 8,682 #5 Posted Monday at 01:07 PM 1000 grit is next to nothing, you would need 240 backed up by a very flat surface. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill 633 918 #6 Posted Monday at 01:12 PM (edited) The Vanguard block is aluminum, not cast iron. Start fine and go more coarse if required. To plane the block deck, I have (2) Arkansas sharpening stones, 2"W X 8"L X 1"T, light gray and white in color. The lighter the color the finer the grit. I have also wrapped 1500 grit emery paper around the stone. Edited 12 hours ago by Wild Bill 633 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horseman with no horse 62 #7 Posted Monday at 03:33 PM is planing the block the same as decking it ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horseman with no horse 62 #8 Posted Monday at 03:35 PM 3 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Deck or head? deck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horseman with no horse 62 #9 Posted Monday at 03:49 PM i can probably get a piece of glass. glass plus a thousand grit should work? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACman 7,714 #10 Posted Monday at 07:04 PM 7 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: Deck or head? 3 hours ago, horseman with no horse said: deck Just clarifying for others that you are trying to make sure that the block surface is flat “ decking the block “ and doing this to a cylinder head would be called “ surfaced “ at a machine shop . First thing that comes to mind around here when you say deck is a mower deck . 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horseman with no horse 62 #11 Posted Monday at 07:23 PM ahhhh im sorry for the mixed terminology. resurface is what i meant Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horseman with no horse 62 #12 Posted Monday at 07:23 PM in particular the block surface where the head bolts to Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 8,682 #13 Posted Monday at 07:58 PM 4 hours ago, horseman with no horse said: i can probably get a piece of glass. glass plus a thousand grit should work? How are you going to hold the glass? Will you be gluing a block of wood on it for a handle? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horseman with no horse 62 #14 Posted yesterday at 04:59 AM thats a good point lolll. well i think i will glue ye ol wood to it since thats the only thing i can think of Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 16,055 #15 Posted 14 hours ago 21 hours ago, lynnmor said: How are you going to hold the glass? Will you be gluing a block of wood on it for a handle? Unless it’s quite thick or well-supported, a glass plate can flex! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sqrlgtr 2,309 #16 Posted 8 hours ago On 3/30/2026 at 12:42 AM, horseman with no horse said: im almost convinced i could get away with running it On 3/30/2026 at 12:43 AM, horseman with no horse said: it BARELY catches my finger nail but not actually catches it, more like a little friction This would be what I would do if it were me. If heads are relatively flat I wouldn't worry about it. Full discloser, I dont have nor have I worked on any Vanguards so...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 8,682 #17 Posted 8 hours ago 6 hours ago, Handy Don said: Unless it’s quite thick or well-supported, a glass plate can flex! I am aware of the fact that glass can flex, good luck convincing the masses, I gave up trying years ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 16,055 #18 Posted 6 hours ago 1 hour ago, lynnmor said: I am aware of the fact that glass can flex, good luck convincing the masses, I gave up trying years ago. Sorry, Lynn. That response wasn’t aimed at you specifically. Is there room to join you in the “give up” corner? 😉 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,664 #19 Posted 3 hours ago 5 hours ago, sqrlgtr said: If heads are relatively flat I wouldn't worry about it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horseman with no horse 62 #20 Posted 3 hours ago alrighty folks. the people of the mighty horse stable have spoken. imma run that bad boi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
horseman with no horse 62 #21 Posted 3 hours ago thank you guys as always Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
