RE: Cleaning heads, et al

[Jim Grammer <jimg@domain.elided>]

>Anyway, assuming I actually get the heads off of this thing, what is the 
best
>substance to use to clean the parts that I have off with?

John's kerosene isn't bad, mineral spirits(paint thinner) is a good 
low-volatility petro solvent, Simple Green is pretty effective as is 
Citri-Solv and similar products(no aluminum cleaningh with these last 2). 
Use gloves and eye protection! All solvents that will do the job are death 
to skin, and you WILL splash some in your face at some point. Splurge for a 
real parts cleaning brush or 2, including a long skinny 'rifle' brush for 
the oil return passages et al.

It's real common to have to chip/brush carbon off the combustion chambers. 
No sharp objects, a twisted wire cup brush in an angle grinder workws 
great.

You can save a lot of time(I've learned the hard way) by doing a couple of 
prep steps while the engine is still running. One would be a round of motor 
flush. Two(I always do this) is a real thorough combustion chamber cleaning 
with some non-EPA approved substance.  Then, a real good round of engine 
brite or similar and a trip to the jiffy wash(or steam cleaning for the 
deluxe route). Getting the thing sorta clean on the outside is a major 
morale booster during the darkest hours of the teardown, when it's way too 
late to turn back but the pile of greasy parts keeps getting bigger and 
bigger....;)

Jim