What's the best product for removing the deposits on the intake valves?
I've tried soaking in laquer thinner and used an aerosol carb cleaner with little effect.

 

I've tried all kinds of solvents with little to no luck. I have tried mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, xylene, toluene, r7k54 reducer, carb cleaner, brake cleaner, and vinegar. I finally ended up using a glass bead blaster to get them back.

 

I vote for glass beads, too.

 

I've soaked mine in laquer thinner and it would make the deposits soft but not really dissolve them.
I'm cautiously using the wire wheel on my bench grinder to clean them up. So far the results are pretty good. Haven't touched a valve seat yet.
I using a round fibre brush dipped in laquer thinner in my drill to clean up the chambers. Seems effective. I don't believe the fibre brush will cause any damage to the seats. Doesn't appear to anyway.

 

Don't you think the beading will damage the seat face?
I should have said that a valve job is not on the agenda.

 

No, that's why the beads are glass.

If you're worried about it though, just lap them when you're finished.

 

Bingo

good advice

 

Just get them pretty clean and Seafoooooam.

GM used to make this product that was such a powerful carbon deposit cleaner it would strip all the oil off the insides and you could ruin your engine. It was discontinued (obviously).

Or do you have a lot of hard deposits?

 

I think the machine shop method works best. That method involves me letting the machine shop clean them up when they cut the new seats. Works great and clean as a whistle!