For reasons unknown to me, I just picked up a spare y7 head/intake manifold/throttle body/valve cover for $40. Its got 100k on it and is nasty. Is there any special treatment I should use when I clean it up, ie: don't use water?

 

Steam clean for a long amount of time is the best thing to do. When I rebuilt the Neon's motor I used a hot tank which just sprays hi-pressure steam/hot water all around the part. Comes out looks like new and then you don't have to do much cleaning after that.

If you can't find/use a hot tank, the only other way I can think of is buying a lot of degreaser(brake cleaner works wonders) and go at it by hand. As for the gasket surfaces, esp the head gasket, clean it off as much as you can by hand then carefully use a gasket scraper. DON'T use sand paper or anything like that. Minor scores, gouges, or rubbing sandpaper in one spot can lead to leaks...

 

So what do you think? for $40, with a ricer valve cover?

 

If you're just looking to get the dirt and grime off of the surface(not internally), then buy a few cans of brake cleaner from the store, spray the sh*t out of it and then hose it down. Just cover the throttle body and do that by hand if you plan on using it.

 

not bad altho I know a kid locally who has a z6 head for $40

 

Keep the head, but junk the manifold. That head + Y8 or Z6 manifold = win. Not sure if AKMEE is still around but they had a cam/valvetrain package for it.

 

Agreed. The guy also had a y8 manifold but it sold in 20 minutes. So I'll probably strip the intake and sell it as aluminum scrap. Keep a few handy bolts and such. And I have never seen a y7 valvetrain package.