While the head is apart, soak it for a hour or so in your favorite degreaser, I like Castrol Super Clean, and then hit the car wash for a hot soapy wash. It will come very clean and be a lot easer to handle for the overhaul. Oven cleaner works great for this. You can do this after lapping the valves, that way you clean all the compound out at the same time.
Joe
