Thanks for the advice guy27. I'm suss about the amount of gunk in the inlet manifold, intake ports and on the pistons, so I'll try the "best" fuel option in future (as well as deciding I'll change the oil and filter every 7500km once all the new chain kits and head are on, just to be sure).
There were big gunky flakes on the pistons that I figure would cause more damage than good if left to find their way around, so I resorted to trying to get them without letting them loose.
I used a vacuum cleaner + plastic scraper for the big flakey stuff; then toothbrush + degreaser + rag for the burnt on oil; then a light touch of 1500 wet and dry + degreaser + rag for the carbon build up.
Attached piccies show the finished result, ready for the head.
And get this everyone who needs parts outside UK :singing:
I got a reconditioned head, including cams and valves, for AU$580:cool:, from *Clearwater Cylinder Heads at www.cylinder-heads.com *in Mexico, delivered to my door. Thanks to Nigel at ZippyZafiras for this contact(y).
Also; new Timing and Balance chain kits, gasket kits, water pump, head bolts, filter, crankshaft seal and spark plugs, were AU$730, from AutoVaux, delivered to my door:cool: . So all up cost me around AU$1300:happy: plus (lots of) my time.
A head from GMH locally was AU$6850 with cams, but still no valves(n).
The same kits n bits from GMH locally was AU$2050. All up nearly AU$9000 !! And that's for parts only, which is more than the car's market value. Imagine what it would cost for labour to fit all this shit:eek:.
:finger:GMH !!
I'm thinking of changing the Holden badge to a Vauxhaull one:smug: