intake port plugged

[swifty]

I started pulling apart a spare 360 I have laying around. I am planning on putting it in my 72 swinger until I get my other motor rebuilt. I was told this engine ran well, 73 360, 110k miles on it. I pulled the the 2 barrel intake off to put on a performer and holley 600. When I removed it I notice the middle port is plugged on intake and head with hard black carbon. I believe it is for heat transfer but I am not sure. I did not have a camera with so I don't have a picture, it is the middle port with a half moon above it.What is the best way to clean this without damaging engine and getting carbon everywhere? I scratched at it with screwdriver and it is like a rock. Would it hurt to leave it?

 

[1970Duster]

Yes it is carbon build up. Most just block the passage off from the intake, however if you live in a really cold area and drive the car year round I would not block it off.

 

[805moparkid]

is there a hole in the intake for it?

 

[swifty]

I have a performer intake so there is a hole for it. I probably won't be driving it when it is very cold but since I have intake off i would like to clean it out. Where does the port in the heads go? I am worried about all that hard carbon falling in there.

 

[daredevil]

I think it connects to the exhaust ports inside the head downstream of the exhaust valves. Anything knocked in there ought to be incinerated and blown out the exhaust.

 

[forphorty]

It's the heat crossover. If it's plugged, the factory choke won't work right .Pretty common for it to get plugged up on a small block. I have a 318 that is completely plugged. Just leave it alone. It's free horsepower. And i would imagine it's a pain to get out and chunks will fall down into the port.