Heads Off Do I Clean??

[paul]

I have the head off one side of my engine the head is quite black-I am planning to scrape this off with a flat bladed screwdriver-how do I do the curved bit with the valves in? Is there a spray that will clear it or is it best left alone?
nb I took the head off to replace the pushrod tube seals.
thanks Paul

 

[Cali_bay]

Would try to use a chemical cleaner, you do not want to scratch your valve seats

 

[billybradshaw]

Something like Gunk removes some of the crap but the best way is to use a small 'soft' wire brush in a Dremel or similar. Take it nice and easy and you'll bring the heads up a treat. If the valves are in then there's little risk of damage to the seats.

Cheers

Ian

 

[Loxy]

Fairy Power spray & a trip through the dishwasher when the wife/gf isnt looking :wink:
Will make it look like new, just be careful to rinse throughlly afterwards so the salts etc dont attack it.

 

[Doris]

carb cleaner will shift it, but its about £5 a can!

 

[noddy]

Use old cylinder in head and a brass bristled wire brush or scotch pad paint stripper in a drill.

Use the cylinder to protect the sealing face on the cylinder head, valves seats are hardened, would take a lot to do damage that could not be lapped out, using valve grinding paste.

The smoother the cylinder head the better the combustion, also excessive carbon build up can act like a glow plug and cause pre ignition.