1999 Tahoe 5.7 - Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement question

[jsimmons034]

Hey guys,
The past two days I've been in the garage completing the dreaded intake manifold gasket replacement. I am to the point where the manifold is off and I have uncovered the mess below (see photo). Do you guys have any tips on cleaning up the coolant that has leaked internally prior to getting this ready for re-installation? Any recommendations on other things I should check or do while I'm at it? Just looking for reliability.
Thank guys!
Justin

 

[fire730]

Soak it up with some paper towels and make sure you change the oil BEFORE you start it up.

That's all I can think of right now. Been a long day.

I'm sure Sunlitcomet will come in with some very good words of wisdom.

 

[SunlitComet]

dry it out and drain the pan refill and oil pump prime the engine with drill and primer tool or old dizzy shaft . drain and refill turn engine while priming after second drain to help get it all out. do this several times until oil and block is clean. you can use the cheapest thinnest oil and filters you can get to help it push thru. but put quality 5w-30 before restart. heat it up and hope for the best. if all goes well change it again after an hour of heavy use.

 

[jsimmons034]

Appreciate it, gentlemen! Shouldn't be too much longer before she's back on the road!

**Update - additional question: Which gasket maker silicone is the one to buy for this repair?

Thanks,
Justin

 

[TigerEyz3]

The "Grey" silicone works well - apply at front, rear, and corners (overlapping the gasket/block points).

 

[ezdaar]

To clean out lifter valleys, I use rags to soak up as much as posible then use a shop vac "designated for nasty cleanup jobs" to vacume all the nasty out. then pour a few quarts of cheap dollar store oil over it to push any remaining crap down into the pan and out of the engine.