SOHC upper oil pan gasket nipple cleaning?

[bigredscowboy]

Hopefully the title got your attention. I got to pulling the old gasket off and right at the rear main seal where the RTV is the rubber gasket broke so I scraped what was left off (see below). Then I saw these on the new guy:

Those obviously go into their respective cracks which are full of the old gasket. Tried needle nose pliers and utility knife but that stuff is in there good.

Any suggestions?

 

[Torqueranger]

I would use a tiny pick or something close to that and just be careful not to damage the sealing surface..

 

[2000StreetRod]

tiny flat blade

I remember digging out the remains with a very small flat blade screwdriver. I have a jeweler's screwdriver set. If you don't get it out all the way to the bottom then snip off part of the gasket to match. If you PM me your e-mail address I'll send you the Mustang engine assembly instructions later today. There are several places that sealant needs to be added.