I don't know what you have for an air cleaner, but if it's an open element I would remove the entire assembly and wrap the carb with plastic. I also put a plastic bag (grocery sack) over the distributor, wires and all, with a big fubber band to hold it on.
Also, I start the degreasing a day or two before I wash the engine. You'll have to scrape the thick stuff. Then I go to the car wash, put on the plastic bags, and let it rip.
