While my short block is at the machine shop I have my AFR195's sitting on a shelf. Call me anal but I don't like the idea of putting the heads back on the engine with carbon all over the chambers and valves. They only have 1500 miles on them so it doesn't make sense to take them to the machine shop. What can I use at home to get that crusty carbon off. I tried mineral spirits, but it only worked OK.

Maybe try a good carb cleaner, like Valvoline Synpower?

I used it last year & got good results on the throttle body of my Blazer.

I have the same problem, afr195's with 1,000 miles with the carbon in the chambers. I started cleaning them on saturday with carb cleaner, shop towels,and elbow grease, it is slow but it is working.

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81 camaro, starting 400 build-up
350, GM forged crank, 10.2:1CR, AFR 195cc heads straight plugs, Edelbrock RPM intake, Holley 750 double pumper proform main body, comp cams 282S solid lifter cam, MSD street pro billit distributor and 6AL ignition, Hooker super comp headers, munci 4spd., Richmond 4.10:1 gears

Theres some tips in here on removing carbon.

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Shop/2341/pandp.htm

Since your heads are off you could polish up the chambers, if they have'nt been done already. They say that carbon is less likely to stick and build up as much on smoother surfaces.

I have always just used a wire wheel on a drill motor. That is what chiltons Repair manual recommends also.

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1972 SS 350

If your going to use a liquid to clean the carbon, Id suggest an intake cleaner, Valvoline or STP because it will be less harsh on your valve seals if they are complete heads

bolt them on as is.. then use a carbon cleaner that you pore down the carb when the engine is running...

[This message has been edited by 1981coupe400ci (edited May 01, 2005).]

the 2 inch dia. round scotchbrite pads that chuck up in a high speed work great. Tip #2 for cleaning carbon out of piston ring grooves use twine, like the kind for hay bails along with a little stoddard solvent.