Cleaning Case with heads off?

[txhokie4life]

I'm doing a top end rebuild.

I've got everything pulled and i have the heads back to begin
the reinstall.

I'd like to clean up the case and et al prior to reassembly.
The case is not split - and I did not pull the p's and c's.

What is the best way to clean things up after 120K miles
of oil and grime without getting the engine internals
all gunked up?

thanks,

m

[KTL]

I had good results cleaning engine and transmission cases with an orange based degreaser. Stoner company makes a product called Xenit. Works good but stinks strong. Then i'd follow the orange treatment with some simple green to break down the goop slime caused by the Xenit. Final rinse with soapy water (I like Dawn dishwashing liquid soap).

Wurth also makes an orange degreaser that works good.

Lots of people like carb cleaner, but that stuff is nasty stuff. Best to use that in highly ventilated areas. Don't use it down near the floor too. The vapors are heavier than air and fall to the ground. Breathing down near the ground = getting light headed and coughing symptoms. Bad news......

[lucittm]

I used kerosene (or diesel) not a volatile as gasoline but it cleans well.

Mark

[Strygaldwir]

I stuffed plastic bags in all the openings and took my case down to the self car wash and pressure washed it. I did spray Gunk on it the prior night. Not sure if that helped much, it seems like the pressure washing was the ticket.