Heat shields are available from coolcarb on line. I use 2...one under the carb and one under the spacer, plus I reroute the water line to the heater away from the carb completely. Now air goes there. Wrapping the exhaust with "heat-wrap" should help. As for cleaning the intake, use a drill with an aluminum rod holding either coarse sandpaper or a small grinding wheel. A slit in the end of a 1/4" rod holds the paper. If you can find a small grinding wheel (I'm a retired gunsmith so I have one) held in place with a screw, the rod can be tapped and threaded to accept a small bolt. I did a similar thing to clean the area under the cowl vent opening. Remove the passenger fender then cut an opening that can be bent up for access under the cowl area intake slots. A long aluminum rod was then tapped to hold a stiff wire wheel. It made short work of the paint/crud in that area. I also opened the drains on each side and added taller intake tubes to the air vents. After that the temporary opening was closed, welded and smoothed before the fender replaced. Just what worked for me on my 65 Mustang.