Afternoon, I've had another go at filling the coolant. I drained as much as I could from the radiator, and made sure the bleed hose was clear. Filled up until it was at the neck level, then started the engine. Filled up a little more after a minute, until it was fairly steady on the cold level...

Let's hope it is an airlock then. Are they a pain to clear? I don't want to let it idle for too long if the temp keeps spiking. As for that device - there aren't any extra fans that I can see (around the rad anyway), I'll have to try and follow the wiring

Update: Left it running with the radiator cap off, but coolant starting gushing out after a few minutes. Not sure if that's expected? Put the radiator cap back on and let it run again, temp needle went in to the red 🔴. In terms of leaks, found this tiny hiss from the radiator top hose: Not sure...

I should clarify - when I say 'a while', I mean for today while I check for any leaks. The wrap will be arriving tomorrow and will go straight on

I'm assuming there'll be plenty of air in the system that needs bleeding, I'll drive the front wheels up on my small ramps - hopefully that'll be a good angle to get the trapped air out. My heat wrap hasn't arrived for the exhaust manifolds yet - is there any harm in running the car without any...

A lesson in over tightening. Now I have one less bolt holding down the drivers side rocker cover. Rest is reassembled, with only two bolts left over, not as bad as I was expecting! Turned over and started fairly easily, but I didn't run it for more than a minute because the coolant is filled...

Belt is on now. Guide says to fit the rocker gasket to the heads first, and then place the cover on top. How the hell do you get the gasket to stay in place? It's all over the place! I've put some gasket goo on it now and have left it to set, hopefully it'll stay put tomorrow when I try again to...

Good progress today. Intake manifold and all ancillaries are on. Tried fitting the aux belt, but it has defeated me today. Rubber kept getting twisted and jammed in the fan blades. Will continue tomorrow if the weather permits.

Afternoon folks, it's been a busy week so not been able to spend much time on the car. Does anyone have a link to where I can buy the bolts for the valley gasket seal clamp? I've tried each bolt that I thought was it, but none of them seem to screw in after the first few mm. I figured it would...

Do you think I can remember where I put the valley gasket clamp bolts? Not a chance. It feels like nothing fits. Also, is the correct order (from top to bottom) clamp, seal, gasket? My RAVE manual seems to skip straight from rocker cover to cylinder head.

Afternoon folks, been fitting the exhaust manifolds today. All but one went in without issue - the one by the steering shaft may have gone it at a slight angle, so I'll need to take it out and check I haven't buggered the threads. Another question - is this one of the notches that's supposed to...

Good news, both heads are on and have been torqued down to ARP spec (although that doesn't feel very tight!) Next step is the exhaust manifolds, I made a start on them but the new gasket slipped between the heat shield and the engine block, so I called it a day. I'll try and get it tomorrow and...

Been away all week so only getting back to it this morning. ARP studs have gone in nicely, but I can't for the life of me get the pushrods back in their place. They came out so easily, but now some of them are being impossible to replace. Is there a trick to it? I tried replacing the pushrods...

Yes they can definitely be felt with my nail. It's a bunch of small scratches around the dowel hole. I would get some pictures, but the head is finally in place. I suppose I'll have to take it off anyway

Right folks, I may have buggered this up. I was installing the driver side head, but couldn't get it to sit right on the two small dowels in the block. I moved it the head around to try and get it to slip on, but it didn't. I took the head off and I've managed to leave a few small scrapes/gouges...

Heads are on, just need to tighten them down now. Does anyone know the torque spec for ARP studs? I'm seeing a few different answers online

Update: got some petrol and gave it a good scrubbing, but still looking a bit stained. Might have to pick up some scotchbrite pads. Image:

Folks, how perfect does the block surface need to be? I've gone over it a few times with a plastic scraper and some degreaser, but there are some baked-on bits (mostly around the thread holes) that aren't shifting with my own power. Please see this pic:

Heads are back today. Cleaned up nicely, threads helicoiled, and broken exhaust bolts removed. Before the heads go back on -do any of you use additional gasket/sealant in any places on the heads? Thanks

Heads went to the shop this morning, surfaces were nice and flat but I've left them there so they can have all mating surfaces cleaned up, and those broken exhaust manifold bolts removed. In the meantime, I'll prep and clean the block. Aside from the mating surface, what cleaning should I do on...