Hi everybody. I'm in the process of refitting the head on my S3 2.25 petrol. New head gasket and had the head reconditioned so all good so far... I've never really delved into the engine before though so just looking for any tips (or warnings!) that I might need in relation to putting it back together.

The main thing I'm not sure about is the timing/positions of all the valves and the bits that control them. I've cranked the cylinders by hand while the head was off, so changed the phase of the firing sequence or what have you, but I'm assuming that when I put it back together the push rods will drop in and then the rocker arms and valve positions will settle into the right timing sequence? (If that makes sense!) Or is it possible for it all to go back together with totally wrong timing??

I'm hoping this is all fairly simple but I really don't want the engine to smash itself up when I fire it back up! (I haven't touched the distributor in the process so the timing of that should all still be roughly ok. And also I realise I will have to set the valve clearances once it's all back together).

Any helpful info would be much appreciated. Cheers.

This is the great thing about pushrod OHV engines - you don't need to worry about timing when you take the head off

As you've said, you do need to set the valve clearances, have them all very loose when refitting.

What he said ^^^^^
Adjusters screwed all the way out.

Thanks guys that's music to my ears! I couldn't really see any way that wouldn't be the case but thought it was best to check.. Useful tip on the valve clearances too, thanks very much.

One other thing... I was a bit surprised when I got the gasket on and lifted the head into place that there were no studs/pins to locate the head in the right place before bolting it down? So the head on mine can basically slide about (fractionally) on the block until the bolts are tightened up. Does that sound right or have I lost some little bits that help it slot into place?

No dowels on a series. It is a good idea with any engine to turn it over by hand after reassembly just to be sure it is together right.

Did you put the push rods back in their original positions?

Col

Ahh ok well at least I'm not missing anything then. I'm waiting to borrow a torque wrench at the moment so I've just set the head in position to keep it all clean, and put the bolts in hand tight. Not put the push rods in yet but I noted the positions so they should all go back in their original places with any luck!