Ready for the heads to be installed.
I’ve given the new Fel-Pro beaded steel gaskets a coat of Permatex thread and gasket sealant.
Heads back on and bolts torqued to 65’# in the circular sequence recommended in the service manual.
Putting in the new lifters with lots of start-up lubrication supplied by the cam maker – Mahle.
I’m putting the push rods back in their original locations and I’ll also do the same with the rockers. At least the rocker-pushrod contact will not need to re-seat. The rocker/valve and pushrod/lifter will still need to re-seat themselves.
Rockers in place and tightened to the basic one turn from zero lash.
Cleaning the old red sealant from the intake and going over the gasket surface with scotch bright type pad.
I’ve modified the restrictor plates to completely block off exhaust gases from under the carb. Today’s fuels boil easily enough without the extra heat. I cut small rectangles of thin tin to sandwich between the two sides of the restrictor plates.
I used some red sealant on the ends of the front and rear gaskets and some around the water ports – on both sides of the gaskets. I tightened the manifold bolts just snug. I’ll torque them down to spec after letting the red sealant set for a day.
Next I’ll get the timing cover and pan in place before prepping the block for painting.
More stuff from Corvette Depot although they actually originated from Corvette Central in the US. All the parts needed to install them from the exhaust manifolds to the mufflers were included: exhaust manifold brackets, inserts and donuts and two muffler clamps. I prefer band clamps so I’ll need to order a couple of those and also find an adapter to join the 2″ tail pipe to the 2.5″ ID mufflers.
Next: More engine prep.