Haynes and Bentley say "solvent," while the FAQs here is silent. What is the best "solvent" to clean the cylinder head - both inside and the interface with the cylinder block?

For the head, water washable paint stripper. Don't leave it on Aluminium too long.


Regards


Pete

From the 700/900 FAQ (same engine):

[Rhys] Scrape the block surface with a sharp carbon scraper held at a shallow angle. Wipe with lacquer thinner to reveal any missed spots. Leave the pistons alone, but it you must clean them, do it very carefully, and hold a running shop vac in the other hand. You do not want to introduce particles to the piston/cylinder wall area. Roll the engine over several times, oiling the bores, and wiping until they produce no further bits of carbon. [Bram Smits] A paint scraper (with the sharp points rounded off - you definitely don't want to gouge the mating surface) or a dedicated gasket scraper tool will get you started. Then finish the job off with razor blades. I just did so, and with some work it'll clean up the block really well. [Bram Smits] Don't gett any crud in the holes; stuff them with something you know you'll be able to retrieve, or just work carefully and direct the scrapings away from the holes as you go. Don't forget to clean out the bolt holes.