2008 October 22: Cleaning heads (1.25 hours)

• The heads have been setting on a piece of cardboard since my last application of engine degreaser (just the cheap stuff Walmart sells in an aerosol can). While I wish cleaners and degreaser would work without manual agitation with brushes and the like, I know all too well that they don't. There is no substitute for elbow grease...at least nothing I know about or can get my hands on very easily. So, I cleaned both heads in my vat of purple degreaser (the kind you buy in gallon containers)...much scrubbing and brushing. When finished, they looked pretty good. Not perfect (especially inside the exhaust port), but very presentable.
• With the heads thoroughly degreased, I rinsed them in water and then sprayed on a coating of Eagle One Etching cleaner. After 5 minutes I rinsed, flipped the heads over, and reapplied the Eagle One Etching cleaner. 5 minutes later I performed a final rinse. The heads look quite nice now and I am pleased.
• I plan to take my daughter Darby down to the machine shop today to see what I can have done with the guides. Liners maybe? We'll see...
• ...Ended up taking Abraham with me to the machine shop. This was Abraham's first trip out with just Daddy and only fitting that we visit a machine shop. He did quite well. As for the heads, the machinist will install guides and give the existing valves a grind. Should be ready next week.