Old Gaskets - How to remove stubborn berkeleyers?

34 year old water pump gasket on aluminum. I've tried the plastic light switch plate. Does not work on this one. Difficult access is making it very hard to get leverage on it.

Is there any chemical spray that will dissolve it?

(2.8 V6 in 1986 Fiero)

I came here to suggest Mr. Deuce's light switch trick. I see I am not needed.

You could approach it like my dad. Forget gaskets, that stuff comes in a tube. Goop it on and seal her up. "It's just an old GM."

In reply to barefootskater :

Removal of water pump has been such a big Pain, that if it leaks after I put it together, I will Seriously consider abandoning the project and dump this car. That's why I'm aiming for a good seal the first time.

Stuff some rags in the holes, then razor blade(s).

And don’t worry about little scratches. As lon as you can’t feel them or catch a fingernail on them you’re fine. 

In reply to Dr. Hess & dculberson :

Thanks for the tips

I had forgotten about the razor blade trick.

Good enough.

was about to say razor blades are what i immediately jump to

Paint stripper that is safe on aluminum.

Razor blades and patience. So much patience. Take breaks. Rinse. Repeat. I hate gasket removal. 

This. A 90 degree die grinder and some scotchbrite wheels will make gasket removal a breeze. Negatives are  you need an air compressor and once in a while you wind up in a spot that a die grinder just won't fit. Other than that, there is no better way.

I'm with ncjay. I also recently learned about the grey 3M bristle discs, which are mild enough to be dandy for cleaning aluminum. Though I'd probably have done an initial pass with blades on the pictured mess first anyhow, or at least a plastic scraper to get the messy gunk down to just the stubborn hard stuff.

Loctite paint stripper will bubble just about everything with an organic component. Horrible E36 M3 and rightly hard to find, but it's good to have around for this sort of problem. Glad the razor blades worked.