BC, thanks for the suggestions about getting the rings seated! The rest of the truck is a long way from being ready to drive. I have not even pulled one brake drum to see what that situation is, and the only usable wires on the truck are those few that I installed to test the engine. Until I get it a lot further toward being drivable, would idling it occasionally for a minute or so to prove to doubters that it runs, be harmful to the engine? (The truck is in an attached garage so it doesn't get too cold and it is very dry here, so condensation should not be much of a problem if I keep the demonstrations short and of a limited number, I would think. BUT, what do you think? My knowledge is not very deep!)
Otto, my guess is that it was varnish, because when I used the leak down tool to run air into the cylinders, the adjusters were all fully backed off and the rocker shafts were loosened as well. My guess is that if the engine was gone over before I received it, that they did the bottom end and left the top end as it was.
Dan, the control panel was created to make sure I could shut things down quickly! I was concerned that my ADD would result in something I overlooked causing dramatic results! (The fire bottle being right there was the result of 46Sparky's (Lee Esparza's) suggestion to have one handy! - I had more than one nearby! I am glad I didn't need it!)
