Cleaning the inside of my engine...

[AstroVic]

I recently yanked the 4.6L V8 out of my Ford Crown Victoria and replaced it with a new crate engine. I need to replace the valve stem seals and then it's going to be put in a 95 Ford Crown Victoria.

At this point, the engine is on a stand with the valve covers, intake manifold and oil pan removed. Surprisingly enough, it still looks pretty clean inside (considering it came out of a police car with 130,000 miles on it).

My question is this:

I'd like to clean up a few things if I can do it without causing any harm to the engine or any environmental-toxic hazards for me and my neighbors. Basically, I'd like to do something to get the soot out of the combustion chambers (visibile through the intake manifold ports) and I'd like to clean off the heads and rotating assembly.

Would something like carb cleaner work for a job like this or would that be ill-advised?

I was thinking about just spraying the crap out of the heads and letting it run down through the oil passages, and then turning the engine upside down on the stand and spraying the heck out of the lower rotating assembly.

I've never done this before, so any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[teamDFL]

Decarbonizing combustion chambers is not a difficult job. However, on an aluminum head, you must be careful not to score it up. Best way, IMO, is to use carb cleaner and a plastic scrapper. Some soak time seems to help. You can also use Scotch-Brite at end to get the small stuff. I highly suggest that you test the use of any tool on a non-critical (exterior) surface before doing anything. That way you know you are 100% safe.

 

[JohnBrowning]

The liquid B-12 Chemtool inthe pint cans along with a solvent brush will take mopst of it off with very little scrubing. Do not get the B-12 any place were discoloration would not be wanted. It might discolor the aluminum. After it has done it's jobe wipe it off with a rag and oil the parts. B12 is a strong solvent product! Make sure you wear nitrol gloves not latex and use eye protection! If you need to ou can use the aersol but it is not a strong and does not have the chemical make up as the liquid!

P.S. I used to soak carboned up valves in B-12 Chemtool for 15 minutes and the carbon would fall off of them.

 

[wrangler]

try using just regular gas and apply it with one of those PVC brushes. it comes right off or at least it did for me and it was a really dirty engine head.

no need to scrape.

 

[Islandvic]

Seafoam Spray or PB Blaster