Anyone have any suggestions of the best/easiest way to do this? Thanks!

Sharp razor blade an patience. Don't use an air tool on it for danger of removing metal and causing a poor seal.

Elbow grease, blood pressure in your head from hanging upside down for hours, brake clean and yes, a sharp razor blade. If you have steel heads, no problem, if aluminum, be careful as stated above... Get at it, it don't scrape itself!!!!

I use a circular green rubber attachment for my small grinder, It has a bunch of little green tits on it. It does not hurt the metal and is very quick and painless. I don't remember what they are called.

I think 3M makes a gaket removal tool that works very well. It goes on the end of a drill and has replaceable pads. It's a stiff foam/emory surface. It works very well.

I have always used to razor blade method, be care not to cut yourself.

Using a thin coat of Hi Temp red silicone on both metal surfaces make the job a lot easier a sharpened putty knife is all you need, I have gone to using it at my risers joints without a gasket on my Gils. I let it cure over night before start up.

Phil

Thanks. Really looking forward to doing this all crunched up in the engine compartment.

Next time use the Mr Gasket grafite gaskets. They just peel right off.
OH and they can be reused.

I'll be sure to tell Mercruiser that.