Octobersknight's 818 Build

[octobersknight]

I reinstalled the painted brackets on the engine and put the cleaned-up alternator back on as well. I think it looks pretty sharp! I just hope the red paint stays well - it's already flaked off in a couple spots, I guess the self-etching primer doesn't do quite enough on aluminum. I'll have to find another product to prep aluminum well if this doesn't stay on very long.
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I also got my re-decked/cleaned heads (with a valve guide replacement and new seals/lash adjustment) back from Rockville Ring & Bearing a bit ago. I think they look fantastic now!
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Installed new Fel-Pro head gaskets from the set I bought, which has every gasket you could need when rebuilding an engine. Even some you don't. these got great reviews and the brand has a ton of quality history, so I hope they work out right.
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Reinstalled the head, and made sure to use the proper procedure for the ARP head studs. I even bought a HUGE 10 oz jar of assembly lube, and promptly used probably 1/2 oz total ...
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I put black (oil resistant) Permatex gasket maker on front camshaft bracket, and was sure to only use sparing amount to avoid plugging the oil seal oil galleys. I even pulled it off once to check and reapplied. Also, be gentle when torquing these camshaft brackets in place, and the steel botls will easily strip the small-diameter, softer aluminum. I hope I didn't strip any of mine - especially at the front of the front bracket near the oil seal. I then installed the camshaft oil seals (again part of the Fel-Pro pack) using a little oil on the inner rim of the seal, a large socket and gentle mallet tapping - you need to be careful not to roll the lip.
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Then it was apply black Permatex where it says to in the manual on top of the large camshaft bracket, and reinstall the valve cover. Note that I don't use those copper/rubber washers anymore, as they weren't used on the car initially. Again, be careful when tightening to avoid stripping the female threads!
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