cylinder head refitting - keeping it clean

[cheesebox]

I've just got my M42 head back from WES Engineering in Sale; warp tested, pressure tested, skimmed, decoked, valves bedded and all reassembled for £65 (I have to say, these guys are the nuts) - and am about to reassemble.

I've had a couple of people saying you have to keep everything spotlessly clean when putting the head back on, and seemed surprised that I'll be doing the job outside.

I was going to clean the top of the block with petrol (I've already scraped off most of the deposits off the head and pistons), let it dry, and reassemble as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of grit and stuff finding its way in.

Does this sound like a safe approach?

[kam-325i]

Basiclly, try and do it under cover, to stop as much crap getting on to any mating surfaces...... dont forget to blow out the head bolt holes, clear any liquid out to stop the bolts cracking the block....

Keep the top of the block covered until the last moment.

[mikey-t]

dont be eating a ginsters honest cornish pasty while doing it! thats a start