cleaning the insides of the head?

[s14derrick]

i just swapped valvecovers from the stock one to a powedercoated one i had from my last engine. when i had it off the inside of the head all looked clean. nice and golden .but on the center of the head where the two big allen key looking things were it had alot of black oil gunk buildup.

does anyone know why it would be doing this? or how to safelly clean it out

[OutToWinPAHC]

For best result pull the head get it cleaned by a machine shop, And then new gasket and timing chain.

[s14derrick]

that would be the BEST way to do it. but i do not have the time nor the money for that as it is my daily i cant afford to have it down .

i was wondering if ther was a way to clean it without damaging it. all the gunk is concentrated in two spots everywhere else is visibly spotless

[OutToWinPAHC]

brake clean and a wire brush work well. Just dont let it get down into the crank case or into the valve opening. And change the oil after you do this just incase you do get it into the crank case.

[s14derrick]

Thank you sir. that is exactly the type of answer i was looking for.looks like i know what im doing before my next oil change any ideas as to why its building up in that particular spot? especially since the rest of the head is soo clean