Need some advice on rebuilt heads that have been sitting.

Several years ago.... 10 maybe? I bought a set of used Vortec 454 heads and had them gone through by a local shop. Then I let them sit. They've had rodents running over them, with the associated acorns, and are kind of dirty and have some surface rust on the topside (I haven't flipped them over yet). Can they simply be scrubbed and hosed off and be ready to go, or do they need to be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned before use? If I were working on an engine, I'd probably take the hose to them and not worry about it, but I'd like to sell them, and want to market them honestly, but don't want to over state flaws and give up money, either.

I don't have the receipt in front of me..... I need to look for it. I think a few valves were replaced, and I don't know what else. They did not shot blast the castings, so even when they came back fromt he shop they still looked used.

If I was going to buy them, I'd disassemble them, give everything a bath and reassemble. What springs, if stock, anyone doing head upgrade is silly not to add a bigger cam which would require new springs anyways.

Either pull 'em apart or tell the buyer they need to. You don't know what crap the rodents have dragged into the ports. Surface rust isn't an issue. If you feel bad about it, get some PB Blaster and a wire brush and scrub away.

If I was considering buying them I'd want complete assurance that there was no corrosion in the guides or seats. Any corrosion there and there's a danger of pitting which is going to cost to rectify. Without that assurance I'd be giving them a swerve.
Strip, assess, give an honest appraisal of condition and let buyer decide.

Disassemble. It's not uncommon to come across a valve that's stuck in it bore from sitting. Being they were rebuilt you might get lucky if they had some heavy lube. If the gasket surfaces are heavily rusted they would need surfaced. I don't think you'll see many offers over a core type price if they need work. They should have been lubed and bagged,

Hipster said:

Disassemble. It's not uncommon to come across a valve that's stuck in it bore from sitting. Being they were rebuilt you might get lucky if they had some heavy lube. If the gasket surfaces are heavily rusted they would need surfaced. I don't think you'll see many offers over a core type price if they need work. They should have been lubed and bagged,

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If they were heavily rusted, I wouldn't have to ask....they're not junk, they've just been sitting.

They did have bags on them originally, but they were just white tall kitchen bags that were more in the way than any.....way too flimsy and only made the mice feel safer.

Disassemble and place the parts in order in a kitty litter pan with a 50/50 muriatic acid and water mix. Once the parts are clean dump the mix into a 5 gallon bucket and stick the head in, after a couple of hours flip the head over to do the other side. Inspect thoroughly and reassemble with lube and new valve stem seals.

Is there such thing as an inexpensive tool for removing the valves? I don't really want to buy an expensive tool for one set of heads. I have no idea what I should be shopping for.

All of the major parts stores that have rental tools have them.