Mineral spirits has a little better solvent action, evaporates somewhat faster.
So, rinsed parts may take on a dry but not a clean appearance because gums and varnishes are not touched by mineral spirits or kerosene. Or caustic solutions, a la the hot tank or Easy Off oven cleaner and etc. We would not want to pour any such powerful solvents the engine because of the bad effect they might have on magneto coil insulation and gasket sealants.