sludge removal?

[41/53dodges]

i am not sure why, but i am now taking off body panels instead of when i was doing engine work for some stupid reason, probably because i didnt have air tools or other neat stuff at my disposal at that time. anyways, when i was replacing a valve, i did some cleaning for sludge in the tappet areas, using a modified vacuum cleaner, but it left a lot behind. is there any good way to clean it all out without dismantling the engine?

[Dave72dt]

Brake cleaner, lots of it, shop rags, then change the oil.

[lugnut123]

Use a puddy knife, spoon, screw driver Just getter done.

[MBF]

When you're done, you may as well drop the pan and clean out the residue and sludge that has surely accumulated down there before starting it and pumping it through the engine. On a pickup, the pan can be dropped quite easily. After that an oil change, get it up to temp see how she runs. Mike

[41/53dodges]

issue is, this truck already runs & drives, so any sludge would already be pumped through. i could drop the pan, though. does anybody know a good place to get a pan gasket? the local auto parts stores tend to suck with old parts, it took em' 3 months for my valve grind kit!

[greg g]

Careful with what you do with that stuff, is it basically lead pudding. Might be best left alone as long as it is causing no harm.

NAPAONLINE for gaskets???

[Young Ed]

Ya I got mine at napa the next day.