I use contact/brake cleaner on my carbs with no worry about it hurting the rubber hoses and stuff. Spray it one, clean it off, and its dry before it can do anything wrong. I also spray it onto a shop towel, and clean things that way. I use PJ1, or Maxima (I like the Maxima much better).
If you do one carb at a time, then you don't need to worry about getting things put back together wrong. Of course you should take notes so you know what's in there when you need to go rejet it.
Transmission fluid? You need to use .75 liters when doing an oil change. When doing a gear box rebuild, use .85 liters.
Thanks,
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Charles Gallant