The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop almost ready to put the rebuild in...

thanks for the help everyone.


I have a steel gasket for the head(see below). As you can see, there is sealant on the backside of it. What should I use to clean it off, acetone? What kind of selant should I use when I put the new one on?
[img]http://lyndonjscott.com/freelancejobs/truck/headgasket_glue2.jpg[/img]

I am a little worried about the surface of the block. It doesn’t really show up in the pictures, but there are little groves in it where it was milled. I can feel them with my fingernail. I am assuming that there was a nick or something in the blade. Should I have someone look at this for me?
[img]http://lyndonjscott.com/freelancejobs/truck/blockgrooves.jpg[/img] [img]http://lyndonjscott.com/freelancejobs/truck/blockgrooves2.jpg[/img]


How much should I assemble the rebuild before I put it into the truck? How/where is the best place to hook the hoist to it?

63ChevyNova,

For the cost involved, I would use a new head gasket. We always used to spray the head gasket with silver paint..sort of silly. I think the recommended method is DRY..no goop of any kind.

How strange to have machine marks in the block. I think this might be a good sign..maybe it was "decked". I would not worry about the marks made by the tool bit. The gasket will seal many sins. KopperKote was a favorite to put on head gaskets, but I still think the SOP is DRY!

Put the entire engine together before sticking it in the truck. There are some specific attachment points that will balance the engine perfectly...I don't know which bolts they are, but I know someone does.

I think a engine balancer (?) would be a worthwhile thing to use when you install the engine. This allows you to tip and wiggle to your hearts content. If you are going to install the engine without much sheet metal, the task is even easier.

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for the help.

The engine has not been started since the rebuild, so the gasket is new. I bought it rebuilt, after it sat for two years. I pulled the head off to install a new cam and get the head checked out. Should I just clean off the sealant that is on it now?

63ChevyNova,

I know money doesn't grow on trees, and I might be too anal, but I would put a NEW head gasket on, especially knowing that your old one has been torqued once.

Everything has been done properly so far..everything is new, tight and spiffy. I wouldn't throw a question mark into the equation by using a "used" head gasket.

Stuart

New Head Gasket! I was told you never reuse a head gasket once its been torqued. Dosen't matter if the engines been ran or not.
Wouldn't take the chance.

Install a NEW head gasket dry. The coarseness of the machining is a good thing. It gives the gasket "tooth" to help hold the gasket in place.
Scott

thanks everyone. I'll go buy a new one when I'm ready to install.

any thoughts about where I should attach the hoist to the engine?

I bought a new head gasket today.

any thoughts about where I should attach the hoist to the engine?

can i pull the old engine out of the truck before taking off the harmonic balancer? would it be easier this way? What do you do to keep the engine from cranking if it is out of the truck?

thanks for the help everyone.

Looks like the balancer wasn't the only thing to come off:
[img]http://www.lyndonjscott.com/freelancejobs/truck/cranksnout.jpg[/img]
That wasn't supposed to come off, was it?
The harmonic balancer looks ok:
[img]http://www.lyndonjscott.com/freelancejobs/truck/hb_keyway.jpg[/img]
It looks like the clutch disk needs to be replaced. what do you think?
[img]http://www.lyndonjscott.com/freelancejobs/truck/cd1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.lyndonjscott.com/freelancejobs/truck/cd2.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.lyndonjscott.com/freelancejobs/truck/cd3.jpg[/img]

When you put engine back in, how do you line up th input shaft and splines?


I tried to take the flywheel bolts out, but the engine keeps cranking what do I do to get them out?