Post by
SolowKaver »
https://forums.nicoclub.com/solowkaver-u295129.html
Sun Jun 21, 2020 2:49 pm
I ended up popping the drivers side steering idle arm bar loose from the Pittman arm to help get a few inches more room to pull the front axle forward. This would have helped on engine removal as well. I bolted on the "machined" head, installed a new timing chain etc., clutch - pressure plate - flywheel and managed to slip it back in without destroying anything. The clutch assembly was all rusty (still had friction material left!) and the flywheel had lots of surface cracks so they were replaced along with the throw out bearing. The sealant on the bell housing must have caused moisture to remain inside rusting everything inside. I made sure the drain slot was clear of factory sealant on assembly. Spent a day reassembling everything underneath and bolting up the intake, attaching coolant hoses and snapping all the sensor connectors back on. I shot some light oil in each cylinder and turned the engine over to prime the oil pump since it was out for awhile. Popped in the plugs and turned it over without the cap and wires for a bit. Sounds healthy on the compression - about like it used to (I may do a compression check later for the grins). I need to finish MIG welding up the crack on the exhaust manifold (welding in very short bursts skipping an inch or two etc. until it gets all covered up) before I install it and fire it up for several seconds to see how she runs. Then I'll bolt on all the accessories on the front of the motor and slap in the new radiator to finish up. It's been a long journey - glad I'm not in a hurry. Thanks for all the help guys!