Hegg
Jedi Hopeful
Offline
I'm nearing the reassembly of my TR7 engine and am looking for some opinions on a few things.
(1) How do you recommend doing the painting process? Once I get the block back, I'd like to paint it the original (or close) color, as well as the head, valve cover, and oil pan. What's the proper process for doing this, and what are the correct colors? (This is a 1980 Federal TR7 DHC) Do I just simply tape it and paint before any assembly? Do I assemble first, then paint? Do I need to paint with a sealer of some sort, then paint with the color?
(2) I'm interested in making as close to "leak-free" engine as I can. What types of gasket sealers and techniques does anyone recommend? What about any prep work, such as smoothing the oil pan mating face or something?
(3) Any tricks or advice for assembly in general, such as how to get the head on easiest or how to fill up the coolant without trapping air bubbles?
(4) What is the recommendation for "breaking-in" the engine? I was expecting to do what I did with my Falcon: first few drives are very easy, low rpms that go slow and smoothly through the gear range, then stopping -- never keeping a constant engine speed for the first 50-100 miles. Then change the oil (keeping non-synthetic for the run-in period). Run it a little heavier for the next 300 miles, but still not over-stressing or running at a constant engine speed as much as possible. Then change the oil again and drive normally for 500 miles. Then change the oil to synthetic and drive the car like you stole it!
Thanks very much for any advice. I'll probably be posting a few other questions (got some transmission and A/C questions also) as the build progresses.
I'd better get this done before all the nice weather is gone this spring! Thanks for everyone's help!
(1) How do you recommend doing the painting process? Once I get the block back, I'd like to paint it the original (or close) color, as well as the head, valve cover, and oil pan. What's the proper process for doing this, and what are the correct colors? (This is a 1980 Federal TR7 DHC) Do I just simply tape it and paint before any assembly? Do I assemble first, then paint? Do I need to paint with a sealer of some sort, then paint with the color?
(2) I'm interested in making as close to "leak-free" engine as I can. What types of gasket sealers and techniques does anyone recommend? What about any prep work, such as smoothing the oil pan mating face or something?
(3) Any tricks or advice for assembly in general, such as how to get the head on easiest or how to fill up the coolant without trapping air bubbles?
(4) What is the recommendation for "breaking-in" the engine? I was expecting to do what I did with my Falcon: first few drives are very easy, low rpms that go slow and smoothly through the gear range, then stopping -- never keeping a constant engine speed for the first 50-100 miles. Then change the oil (keeping non-synthetic for the run-in period). Run it a little heavier for the next 300 miles, but still not over-stressing or running at a constant engine speed as much as possible. Then change the oil again and drive normally for 500 miles. Then change the oil to synthetic and drive the car like you stole it!
Thanks very much for any advice. I'll probably be posting a few other questions (got some transmission and A/C questions also) as the build progresses.
I'd better get this done before all the nice weather is gone this spring! Thanks for everyone's help!