So I pulled the head on my 94 i6, and the intakes are caked with a black tar esque substance, see attached pic. Is this normal? And should I clean it out? I'm learning as I'm going, so any tips, checks, or tricks while I'm in this deep?

 

It is normal to have some carbon buildup in the intake ports. Anything excessive is a sign of base engine concern, fuel system, PCV or EGR malfunction. I don't see anything other than normal in your pics. Oil from the PCV system is baked into some of the carbon deposits along with engine reversion - normal process (occurs twice in a 4 stroke cycle) when both the intake and exhaust valves are partially open (valve overlap) for a very short time and, as a result, some of the air/fuel mixture and exhaust are pumped back into the intake where it collects.

 

Yes, I would clean the deposits while the head is off. What was the reason for removing the head?

 

I pulled the heads cause evidence was pointing to a bad head gasket that was causing a coolant leak.

 

If time and money alot for it I'd have the machine shop hot tank it and shave it that way you know it's clean and flat.