DIY Cleaning

[MisterCinders]

While I have the top end off, I should clean it. What is the best way to do this without media blasting, an oven, etc. Not expecting show room results, but getting the grime out of all those recesses and basic cleaning is pretty daunting.

[loud et]

I am at the same point as you, I start with lots of Purple Power or Big Orange cleaner/degreaser... spray, scrub rinse. spray scrub rinse. over and over. get all the grease/ oil off you can gently using small screwdrivers or whatnots to scrape off crusted or baked on stuff. I foung a lug nut brush at Auto Zone, it lets you deep into the fins to do some scrubbin. Arter its all degreased, I use paint stripper to get paint off as vest I can to bare metal. Then cleaner and degreaser again. I found its really hard to get everything off. Some yellowish original clearcoat or primer gets baked into the metal and is sometimes a yellow stain. I cant obsess over it all, so as long as it is clean and smooth, I am ready for engine paint.
Currently doing this now, not enough $ for hot tanks and acid baths and sonic removal or whatever real restorers do, so get a few cleaners and strippers and get scrubbin. Trust me I know , I have been over my valve cover multiple times and its work. Wait till the jugs, all those beautiful nooks and crannies.

[Nessism]

Soaking the head in carb parts dip works well. You need to keep the head wet with the sauce for several hours but it will loosen up the carbon, caked on oil, etc. Add some supplemental scrubbing using a variety of brushes that get into difficult to reach places.

[bonanzadave]

Solvent (mineral spirits). Use the good stuff. Not the tree hugger green stuff.

[rapidray]

Or for about 20 bucks, you can disassemble the head & then take it to an automotive machine shop & have them "hot tank" it. It will take most everything off. I do them for 45 minutes to an hour & almost everthing comes off of them. Ray.

[loud et]

Or for about 20 bucks, you can disassemble the head & then take it to an automotive machine shop & have them "hot tank" it. It will take most everything off. I do them for 45 minutes to an hour & almost everthing comes off of them. Ray.

I think I better look into that, all my talkin in my post below.......I am gettin sick of scrubbin.. ha ha good tip, thanks!

[tkent02]

An in between method is to use rifle brushes chucked in a drill with some degreaser. The brushes go in between the cooling fins nicely.

[Do Little]

Sea Foam and a brush works great for grease and crud, cuts through it instantly without any soaking. A home made soda blaster works pretty good for the stuck on grime, and it's really cheap to make and use, and the baking soda dissolves with water.