I am preparing a remanned 3VZE to drop in my 94 4runner. As I was about to attach the intake maifold, I noticed there was a lot of carbon (?) build up in the ports. Should I try to clean this or will it affect anything. If cleaning is recommended, what is the best way to do it, considering that my "parts cleaner" is a hose in my back yard?

 

I cleaned mine with a toothbrush and throttle body cleaner...or brakekleen

 

Carb cleaner works well.. Mine was really crapped up due to a blown turbo.. I needed to have it vatted.

 

I spray carb cleaner down each runner, then stuff part of an old shirt down the runners (one at a time), then get the end caught up in a drill. Spin it till she's clean.

 

I soaked mine in mineral spirits for several hours (I don't know how much that actually helped, because the buildup was still pretty hard and crusty) I then used my dremel tool with a stainless steel brush on it (it works great, but don't use it excessively on any sealing surface.) I have a flexible extension for my dremel, so I can get in almost all the way. If you don't have that, you'll only be able to get at the first 3 or 4 inches.

For the gasket surfaces, I find that gentle scrubbing with throttle body cleaner and a brass brush or some fine steel wool works well without damaging the surface.

 

Thanks to all for the advice. Looks like I have some cleaning to do!

 

use a wire brush and carb cleaner...also, soak an old tshirt or rag in the cleaner and shove it into one of the six openings, stick a drillbit in the middle of the rag and walla clean!