In the past I've used scotch brite pads to get head gasketing surfaces clean but, now I'm reading that this puts abrasive particles in the engine but, a rag an brake cleaner aren't cutting it. Do you guys have any suggestions. This is on the block. I had the head itself resurfaced. It's a '97 SOHC.

 

razor blade.
I use thescotch brite lookin rolocwheels, just stuff a bunch of rags in the cylinder & it'll be ok.

 

Get a $3 gasket scraper and do it right.