Advice on cleaning up for new gaskets

[OldMercs]

My intake manifold is in the paint shop. Now I need to prep the heads for new gaskets. What's the preferred method to insure a proper seal first time?

I was going to attach pictures but they're in .heic format. I'll try again tomorrow.

[dmsfrr]

I'd likely wad up some paper towels and place them in all the intake & coolant ports to help prevent debris from falling in. With a good razor blade scraper remove as much old gasket material & sealer as possible. Then wipe down the gasket surfaces with brake clean or carb cleaner. Lastly and carefully remove the wadded paper from the ports in the heads.

The intake gaskets are right & left handed, double check their fit. Notice the gasket in this example photo is on the incorrect head.
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[OldMercs]

Thanks, looks like an easy thing to overlook.

[Ford blue blood]

FE head gaskets are another "easy to foul up" thing that lots of folks miss.......

[dmsfrr]

Originally Posted by Ford blue blood

FE head gaskets are another "easy to foul up" thing that lots of folks miss.......

Aren't most Ford head gaskets that way? The Y-block head gaskets are easy to put one on backwards and I think the Windsor engines can have the same issue.

Originally Posted by OldMercs

My intake manifold is in the paint shop. ...

I almost forgot, if it's not too late.
To help keep the new paint nice there are intake gaskets made with a smaller hole for the exhaust crossover, so it doesn't get as hot and burn the paint. Originally made for 'truck' applications but they work very nicely on all other Y-block engines too.
Examples in the bottom half of this photo.
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[paul2748]

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Sealer around the intake ports is not needed, but you should use some sealer around the water ports.

[miker98038]

On your other post on the intake, there’s a comment on checking alignment. When everything is clean, make sure to do that. Before the gaskets go in. Just in case the manifold was milled to fit block or head work in previous machining. It’s probably fine, but better now than chasing a vacuum leak. Lots of times an aluminum manifold will give a bit, but cast iron doesn’t go anywhere.