tbrumm
Full Access Member
I'll try steel wool, definitely wouldn't feel comfortable hitting it with a wire wheel lol.
I might suggest using the maroon scotchbrite pads (hand pads not cookies on a die grinder!) rather than steel wool, and using motor oil or penetrating oil as a lubricant. Then vacuum the crap out of the cylinder with the shop vac when done. With the heads off, you could also soak your rings packs with penetrating oil while you are waiting on the heads to come back. I used Kroil. It may loosen up the carbon in the rings or it may not, but it makes you feel good thinking you might be doing something useful. Obviously, that penetrating oil is going to make its way to the crankcase so you will need to have fresh oil in there before you fire it up again.