I have a question. I drive A 1985 F150 4X4 351 in it. it is oil leaking pretty bad. when I can timing chain covers and oil pan off my motor. is it okay for me to use special grinder (u know what I mean) on pan and covers to take old little gaskets off and make the surface smoth?????????? I want to know if it is ok to use it.
Thanks

 

I think simple scraping may be best. With a grinder you may remove a little metal, potentially creating more of a leak than what you started with.

But if you are good with a grinder then go for it.