Prepping block for new head gasket

[iamn8]

Hey now everyone. First time poster to this site. Used to rely on another, but activity in the V40/S40 forum dropped way off over the years.

I'm putting a new head gasket on my Wife's 2003 V40. Looking for input on just how clean the top of the block should be before I install.

I spent about 30 minutes with brake cleaner and cotton towel last night. he's how it looks now:







There's still some discoloration in spots. In one small section, I tried a razor blade presented vertically to the block, but with light pressure, it isn't removing anything that I left behind. A plastic scraper yielded no result.

Do I need to go any further than this? If so, recommendations on what I should try?

[V40T4R]

In my opinion you can go for it.