I spent most of Saturday degreasing parts. Things like the oil filter housing, cam sensor housing, oil pan bolts etc were covered in grime. I got through most of the parts, I still have a few left though. I've got some pics I'll load of the 3 stages of simple green tubs used. Pretty much every external bolt and bracket needed to be cleaned.

Some of the grime was from my breather filter mounted directly to the valve cover. I'm going to fabricate a catch can. I was looking forward to building something (the catch can) on Sunday but I got distracted by how messy the top of my tool box was along with the work bench - and I spent the whole day organizing the entire garage.

 

I know you're into fabrication, but if you'd rather spend the time on your build, you might like what I came up with:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=255949

 

I'm stalled on the engine assembly until I get the freeze plugs, deck pins, and balance shaft bearings which are on order. PLUS, I'm dying to build something. I've got a lot of parts that need to be fabbed, but I can't start until I can mock everything up with the engine installed.

So building a catch can will be a nice "fix" to fabbing something while I wait to move on with the assembly. I've got all the sheet metal lying around already, so it will cost me nothing.

 

Here's a picture of my degreasing setup. Brake parts cleaner is more aggressive and takes less scrubbing then simple green. But I had to do so many parts I didn't want to be swimming in brake parts cleaner all day. So I used the simple green in the tubs with a brush and broke out the brake parts cleaner only on the bad stuff.

That oil filter housing SHOULD be bright silver, it's got an 1/8th of an inch of grime all over it . Remember this picture when later on you see that part again - it's silver again

 

nice you sound like me when it comes to putting things back together and making sure they are clean.

 

I think you're doing an excellent job both on the engine, and on this thread Jared - keep up the great work!!

 

More parts came today. This fan SUCKS and BLOWS like crazy, we tested it at work.



Knocked out a couple freeze plugs tonight. I'm hoping to finish degreasing, replace the freeze plugs, get the balance shafts handled (the upper eliminated) and file the rings this weekend. Then I can spend the following weekend assembling the bottom end and not get sidetrack half-way through it. Once I start the assembly I want to be able to finish it.

 

What is the CFM rating on the fan?

 

What's the underlying reason for you wanting to replace the freeze plugs?

Can't wait to see the progress pics of the bottom end re-assembly.

 

1200 CFM.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Proform/778/67012/10002/-1

I'm replacing the freeze plugs for a couple reasons.

1. I want to make sure the cooling passages are free from metal chips from all the machining work. Typically shops require the plugs be out so they can do a proper cleaning after machining.

2. The cold tank solvent used on the block was really aggressive. It ate the paint right off. I was worried that it may have taken some of the finish off the freeze plugs making them more likely to rust over time.

3. It only costs like $10 to replace them all.

 

Ignorant question: do you just bang the new freeze plugs in with a hammer and some kind of cylinder?

 

I plan on using a socket the size of the freeze plug. It would be best to have a special tool with a flange to make sure they are square with the normal surface of the block but I think a socket is fine.

I'll snap a picture of it.

 

i used a socket

 

Here's a good balance shaft elimination link. I might try and finish the plugs tonight and do the balance shafts...

http://www.4g63turbo.com/tech/eclips...t-removal.html

 

are you losing a/c?

we have our vertical intercooler with narrower double pass rad setup like our TA car

cb