General Cleanliness Question

[Andrew and Katie Butitta]

So my Audi is doing fine now, after I replaced the exhaust and  
cleaned the ISV. My question, however, is regarding my Mitsubishi  
minivan. I was out just now adjusting the idle on it and noticed  
smoke from the engine compartment.

I've got about 6 months worth of oily goopy sludge dripping down the  
front of the head and falling on the exhaust manifold and burning. I  
know I'm really close to an engine fire here, and rest assured I'll  
be ordering a new valve cover gasket *real soon,* but until then:

What's the best / fastest / easiest / cheapest way to clean built-up  
oil drippings off of an engine head?

Thankfully it's easy to get to, but seeing the smoke was quite  
disturbing. I tightened down the offending valve cover bolts (they  
were surprisingly loose) in an effort to stem the flow until I can  
get around to replacing the gasket.

Thanks in advance, and sorry to ask such a silly sounding question,  
but any miracle cleaners or pads or cloths you guys can suggest would  
be a great big help.

-Andy