any tricks to removing carbon buildup on valves

[black71]

..... cause wow they are dirty...pulled apart a set of 452...time for some new seals and what not, gonna check the valve seats while i'm at it jus need to know a good way of getting the deposits off...

[Topcat]

This what my automotive teacher years ago showed us in class:

Pour Marvel Mystery oil slowly down carb while the engine is running. DO NOT let the engine stall.
Keep hand on throttle linkage and increase slightly as you are pouring it in.

Now whether his claim is accurate on removing deposits is true or not; I have no proof on his theory/experience/demonstration is factual or not.

When apart use brake cleaner.

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

Take it for a run at WOT.

[GranCuda1970]

I had a friend who would pour a little water in the carb while it was running and throttle it up, said it would clean the carbon off. I thought he was crazy but it did not kill the engine or anything.

[dutch]

last year we had a good thread on the matter...


http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=68617.0

[brads70]

I had a friend who would pour a little water in the carb while it was running and throttle it up, said it would clean the carbon off. I thought he was crazy but it did not kill the engine or anything.

That's what I would have suggested too. I had a water injection kit on an engine once to prevent detenation. It worked great, also kept it all clean as a whistle!
Doesn't do you much good when the heads are off though...

[dutch]

ah...  the heads are off.... 

[GranCuda1970]

This is true!!

[72cudamaan]

I had a friend who would pour a little water in the carb while it was running and throttle it up, said it would clean the carbon off. I thought he was crazy but it did not kill the engine or anything.

   Works like steam cleaning.

[jimynick]

Don't know what others use, but a wire wheel on a bench grinder does a fast and thorough job for me. Wear eye and hand protection and 16 minutes later, you'll have clean valves.   

[72cudamaan]

ah...  the heads are off.... 

 Oh, thats totally different. Never mind.
Wire wheel lightly. And if you're not grinding the valves or seats, make sure you put
the valves back in the same spots.

[Chilly]

I used old carb cleaning solvent that I used to soak carbs in before rebuilding them.

[Aussie Challenger]

Yes a wire wheel will clean them up but don't forget to do the ports & combustion chamber. While it is apart I would also do the vales & seats, don't forget to check the valve guides first. In other words while it is down and apart do it right and the heads will give you many peaceful and reliable miles.