Still no cam, so I have used the little amount of time I have getting other bits ready to go back on.
This is what the engine looked like prior to removing it.
I painted the rocker covers a few years ago, then rubbed to top off to show the aluminium. Unfortunately, I later coated them in an engine lacquer which didn't work to well and left them with a rough finish. Other little jobs which I have always meant to get to, included painting the flame trap the same colour as the rockers, finding a better solution to sealing the the two threaded port holes in the side of the plenum,
and the old breather pipe at the rear of the rocker cover which I had sealed off with a short piece of hose and a make shift plug.
I stripped the old paint off completely
Etched primed
Then glossy black, sanded off to leave the aluminium showing
I have always had problems with these rubber gaskets, finding them very fiddly to fit, so have got into the habit of bonding them on with RTV. Just run the RTV round the cover, then place the gasket on flat table, make sure the spacers are in line with the bolts, then place the cover onto the gasket, fit it into the groove and allow it to cure. Easy
I also pulled the tube out of the O/S one and bonded a small rounded cap into place to seal it, much neater job.
They're ready to go straight on when I get to that bit.
I can't remember what I sealed this up with, but it was a pig to remove.
All done though, and ready to go back on
The top of the mani was sealed to the trumpet base with silicone which proved to be very difficult to break, and actually ended with a bent fuel rail
I eventually made a small puller (well pusher) out of some 12mm studding a nut, which did the job, then it was just a good coating of sealant remover and a wire brush to clean it up ready to refit. The holes in the trumpet bottoms are drain holes which showed up when I had the face skimmed by 1/4" to get a bit of under bonnet clearance. They still work so no harm done.
I worked out that the fittings in the plenum were 5/8 UNF, 18TPI, so had a look on a well known auction site, and found these for a few quid. Much happier with that. Being held up like this, has pushed me into sorting these little details that I always meant to do, but never got around to.
Sump is all cleaned, old gasket removed, ready to refit
Also managed to get some painting done, will get some pics later