Recommendations on Eng. Rebuild Kit?

I'm looking for any nuggets of wisdom from those who have been there, done that. I read here to replace the head studs with cap bolts so the head can be removed without taking the hood off. I tore the studs out tonight. Any helpful tips like this would be appreciated.

I plan on taking the block, head and pan to get boiled out. I'll most likely have the same shop check the crank and cam. Should I have the shop check anything else? I'll be doing the sleeve install and reassembly. I'll probably have more questions....

Thanks,

Phil B.

Call me sadistic but I've heard so much about pulling these sleeves, I've just got to try it myself. I've got the .090" sleeves so I'll go the weld bead technique, in a couple of places first, then resort to making a jig. Just wouldn't be fun to have the shop do it... Of course, I have this confidence since I have a spare block...

And yes, the manual has been read, cover to cover, several times now. I'm looking for the stuff they left out :-)

Phil B.

I hope to finish my 52 8n next month. The engine is completly done - now I'm working on rust, sheetmetal and painting.

Good luck!

90% of the time, the cam is fine. Even though there are NO bearings and NO bushings, the suckers just don't wear out!! It defies engineering principles. The biggest thing is you'll need the machine shop to examine your crank and determine if it needs polishing or grinding so you'll know what size bearings to order. Kits are sold with different sized bearings. Have them mic or blueprint the engine and tell you what you need. May also want to carry the flywheel to them to have it resurfaced while they're at it.

I normally don't mess with the oil pump unless the tube is loose or I know from earlier operation that it was having problems. A good test is to prim the pump with oil or MMO and turn the gear with your finger. If you can feel suction on the pickup tube with your finger, the pump is most likely good and I wouldn't bother paying the $80 for the reamer and gears to rebuild it. Just be super carefull with that thing so as not to hit the pickup tube and crack the soldering which is very fragile.