best way to clean a set of heads?

[Gwamp]

I have a set of heads that I need to clean up prior to "freshening" a motor. What is the best way to do this myself? What "gunk" has worked the best to get all the carbon, crap, and grease off the parts?

[RustyJeep]

take them to a maching shop and have them "hot-dip" them. Hey...while your at it, might as well get the surfaced and pressure checked, seen as how they'd be there anyway. Or....good ol brake clean will eat the grease off...carb cleaner for the carbon.

[ May 02, 2002: Message edited by: RustyJeep ]</p>

[Gwamp]

What does it usually run to have a set dipped?

[RustyJeep]

Not sure...maybe someone else on here knows.

[xj2fsj]

round here it's about fifty to bake and shot ( dipping is frowned upon by the EPA and the chemicals are very expensive) then another fifty per head (plus parts)to rebuild them. Go with a trusted shop and pay the extra, you'll get it all back at the pump in a few fillups. trust me on this