88 XLT restomod

[88xltranger]

I wasn't going to because I need a new hoist, but after seeing all of this I may have to. Also on that note, what would be the best way for me to try to clean this out? I'm going to drop the pan after and clean the pickup anyway.

 

[Ramcharger90]

The residue tends to show worse at the back ports.

If @Ramcharger90 would be so kind as to snap a photo of the ports from my original heads, it gives a clear example on how to see if your engine has residue left in it.

Are you tearing down and having the block hot tanked? If so, be sure to completely clean out the coolant jacket with a pick before sending it out.

..... now I have to dig it from my shop...

Its hiding over there by the red engine stand. And now I have a 318 and some other stuff piled over there.

Its just storage right now....
But yes pj is right there is maybe enough room to get a nickel in the back side of the port....

 

[88xltranger]

@PetroleumJunkie412

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Yeesh. If you dont hot tank it, definitely going to want to clean the hell out of the coolant jacket.

Are you taking the heads off?

 

[88xltranger]

I wasnt planning to. My plan was to just clean everything up with brake clean or something and then pull the pan and clean it out. I just want to get it daily drivable and then I'll pull it when I get my garage cleared out

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Soda blaster. Get an Ace, you will not regret it.

I blasted mine and did electro de plating to it before sending out for hot tank. Think I documented it in my build thread. Its how I found the residues.

 

[88xltranger]

Will do. So, shouldnt those ports be open on the lower manifold?

 

[88xltranger]

Can anyone post pictures of a good gasket match job for a 2.9 manifold? I want to compare my work to a good one. Im attempting it for the first time. My second set of runners seems better than the first but this is my progress so far. Have only used a carbide at this point.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Yes and no. Ill post a few this evening off my merkur intakes.

So far, yours looks good.

Blend, don't cut. Just blend blend blend.

 

[88xltranger]

Well thats good to hear, I'd rather practice on this one than the merkur

 

[88xltranger]

Updates are few and far between due to renovations and multiple vehicle projects but I finally have a small one. Removed the non functional a/c compressor long ago to make more space and finally got around to removing the other underhood components, also did a coolant flush since I needed it changed anyway. So much more room now, just need to make some block off plates or fill in the firewall holes. Working now on removing and refinishing the dashboard and deleting the rest of the a/c crap.

More updates coming soon. Currently deciding between keeping 2.9 or swapping to 302 or nissan 3.0 turbo.