Need Engine Rebuild Advice

[Bambikiller240]

I’m about to start assembling the Cylinder Head and Timing parts onto my recently rebuilt L24 short block and I need some guidance from all of you L24 Experts out there. This is a completely stock engine, cylinders were over-bored .50mm, and since the crankshaft was in excellent shape, it was just polished. I have a stock early E88 Rebello rebuilt Cylinder head, all new Timing Components, and Oil/Water pumps to install. After the engine is up and running, I plan to install ZTherapy SU’s to top it all off.

I’ve done this a couple of times, but it has been almost 20 years since the last time, so my memory needs major refreshing and I’d like your opinions, guidance, and answers with the following questions. Thanks in advance for any advice you care to share.

1. The Head Gasket that I got from MSA doesn’t have any “sticky” sealing material on it like the head gaskets that I’ve used previously. Should I put something on the gasket, or the block? If so, what product would you recommend? I’m not inclined to use “spray paint” like some have suggested. Is there a product that I can or should buy for this use?

2. Which bolts/nuts should I use RED Loctite, which should get BLUE Loctite, and should any get GREEN Loctite. Which fasteners should I use Anti-Seize on, and should I use”regular” Anti-Seize, or is there a “High Temp” or some other variety for certain applications? Are there places you would recommend that I NOT use any form of gasket sealer (like Permatex High-Temp RTV Sealant) such as the Oil Pump to Timing Cover gasket

3. Should I coat the Cam, Rockers, Timing Gears and Chain with Moly Grease, or something else to protect them during initial start up of the engine?

4. Lastly, Please give me your best advice including Tips to make things easier/better, things to watch out for, mistakes to avoid, etc. Any advice that you wish someone had shared with you before you started your last engine assembly would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Carl

[JEFF]

Carl - I went through my whole engine in Febuary. Here are a few things that you might want to do/watch for.

1) If the head gasket that you are using does not have a "sticky" side thats fine - do not add anything to it.

2) I would not recomend loctite on any bolts - But I do recomend a Hi-Temp AntiSeize on all the bolts that thread INTO the Cylinder Head. Something with a high Nickel or copper content(1800 deg.)

3) A few good places to use Permatex (get the black stuff - It's called "Ultra-Black" the # at the bottom of the tube is "598B") is on the valve cover gasket - valve cover side only, on the front cover geskets- both sides, on the oil pump gasket- both sides, on the oil pan gasket- both sides( do not over torque the pan bolts), on the water pump gasket - both sides, on the chain inspection cover at the front of the head, and on the theromostat housing where it mates with the head.---- I did not use it anywhere else on the engine.

4) When you assemble everything - use copious amounts of oil - use the same type of oil that you plan the run the engine with.

TIPS(from exp.) DO NOT loose tention on the timing chain while trying to install the timing gear on the cam. To avoid this make yourself a wooden wedge about 4" long on about 15 deg. angle,

drill a hole through the wide end and attach a 8" loop of heavy string through the hole, when the chain is set correctly on the crank gear - compress the chain tentioner fully with the chain in place - use the wedge to hold it in that position.( pull the wedge out by the string ONLY after the cam gear and chain are mounted correctly on the cam. Follow your manual closely for the oil pump and distributor shaft installation.

If I think of somthing else I'll reply again.

- Jeff