Head Gasket Replacement

[wetminkey]

Well, I'll be damned if the thing didn't fire RIGHT up, and run better than it EVER has,...ever since I bought it in 2000!
Exhaust manifold smoked A LOT externally for a while, but finally cleared - all of the crap that it's accumulated over the years of abuse, and never burned off!.
Engine timing was right on, but I re-adjusted it again to 10 degrees BTDC (at 5000 ft, I might add more later,...).
I adjusted the idle a 'tich' to 1000 (it's an automatic tranny), and adjusted the DFEV's air/fuel pretty much back to where I had it,...
Three fan cycles later,...not even an ooze, and the engine passed my 'sniff' test all around (some of you will know the smell of a perfectly sealed engine as it heats for the first time,...)! An hour after shutdown my hand-mirror, and I, cannot find any leaks.
Now for some fine tuning and drive-time!
I sure hope that this thread helps members in the future,...that's why I made it.
It helps to read through, since there are some important details in the text,...please check it out!
And I'm always happy to answer questions,...just PM me here!
Todd Compton.

[geospider]

Glad this worked so well for you. It is so nice to drive when you know things are buttoned up.
Drive, enjoy and no worries.

Geo

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Awesome, and I'll add my note of congratulations! Let us know how things progress in terms of tuning, break-in, performance, etc.

-Bryan

[dinghyguy]

Congrats
Now all you need is time to drive it!
Enjoy
Cheers dinghyguy

Ps got the Ferrari hood badge yet?

[wetminkey]

One final step,...Oil/filter change and coolant flush and replace. Shortest lived fluids I've ever had,...
Engine was open, and despite my plugging the oil conduits with plastic plugs while working, oil (and coolant) need to be changed,...I'm going from ethylene glycol to O.A.T. coolant, so I need to flush the system again, so the old 'green' does not cause a sludge with the new 'orange' coolant.
Yanked the entire external thermostat/hose assembly and rinsed it clean. Ran water through the overflow tank until clear and drained it. Garden hose through the hose to the heater (top of engine, and with heater controls set to "HEAT"), through the radiator fill, and into the water pump. Drained from the passenger's side block drain. The system is cleared of any coolant and flushed,...refilled with fresh 'orange' coolant (due to the aluminum head and steel block). States it's good for 5 years/150,000 miles!
New Bosch filter and 10-30W Castrol,...
Happy little 2 liter DOHC four, here!
NOW it's drive time!
Hope this stuff helps! Todd.