As it may be known I've been in a time crunch for this project and was just set on a date of completion that I wanted to meet at the very least with a reassembled vehicle since I'd be away for the next 7ish months. Would not mind having to come back for round 2 with more time on my hands, but I assumed it wouldn't be great if the engine guts were left exposed to the elements (AKA general outdoors) for that amount of time. I'm not working under a roof.
That being said, she's back together. All new gaskets. I did not have the time to replace or check on the valve seals this time 'round. I will do so when I get back.
To clarify, I instructed the machinist only to clean the head. He quoted the price for a full rebuild (new seals, etc.) but I declined simply because I'm tight on money - this time 'round.
It came back painted too, which I honestly wasn't expecting.
Now that I have more time to write in length, here's some further context:
The car was purchased from a garage it has not left in over 30 years.
She wouldn't start, but thanks to the collective conscious that makes up this forum, we were so back in no time, as seen
here.
We end off the day with an oil change.
Fast forward a few days, my buddy and I give it a 3 hour tow to our hometown, arriving at night. The next morning we start'er up, and it's just all around rough.
Hard starts, misfires, blowing smoke, you name it.
That brings us to more recent times. Following the "repair" as documented in this thread, she gets fired up for the first time following open heart surgery. The head is back on, push rods are replaced, valve cover is reattached, gas is depressed to set choke, and the key is turned.
Surprisingly, we encounter the smoothest start ever. The engine is very stable with minimal shaking.
We let it run for a good while following some clamp tightening of leaking coolant hoses - but other than that, all around smooth running.
There was still some smoking from the exhaust but it actually disappeared after mucho idling time (and didn't return, even on rev).
Now I understand we're working with a slant 6 here and it'll run even off dish soap, but please, rip at me for my corner-cutting -- I can take it, and I will start appending the to-do list for when I get back. Starting with
@Oyster60V200 and others valve seal advice. Pinky promise. :thumbsup: