nmerrill

OK, i got my motor ripped apart and i am ready to start installing my trick flow track heat kit. Just a couple of questions for those who have done it before, 1) the thrust plate in front of the cam, did yall have it machined to fit the new bolts flush, or just use the stock bolts? 2)When you are installing the cam gear, and crank gear for the timing chain what setting did you put it on, there are 3 and i am unsure of what to use, or if it matters? 3) i am gonna be bypassing all the smog stuff, and the heater core. I was just gonna run a heater hose from the port on the intake to the water pump, instead of having the two long hoses running to the firewall. Will i run into any cooling issues? And with the smog stuff can i just take it out, plug the holes in the heads, and the vacuum lines and call it done, or will it mess with the computer? Sorry about the long post and all the questions but i just want to get everything done right the first time. Thanks in advance -Nick

lead09

Not to steal your thread but I'd be curious to know how you torqued the upper intake bolts. I had mine off and the only wrench I can get on the nuts is a 3/8" combination wrench (except for the 2 long middle bolts) and I can't use a torque wrench with that. My intake has studs for the 4 outer holes and long bolts for the 2 middle holes. I just slowly tightened them all down until it stop leaking. Any tips?

nmerrill

i cant help ya. I havent got that far yet. I left my head gaskets in another town when i came to college so i have to wait until saturday to start assembling that part. I will let you know if i figure something out though

titanium92

Well I can only answer 1 of your questions.....the cam thrust plate. You have to countersink the holes in the thrust plate so they will sit flush and not stick out.

nmerrill

ok, is this something you did yourself, or did you take it to a machine shop and have them do it for you. I would like to do it myself but i really dont want to mess it up

86HOGT

Not sure on the thrust plate bolts, I just used the stock plate and bolts with loc tite.

To determine which degree you need to set the cam at, you need to degree the cam with the cam straight up, 0 degrees. When you degree it then you'll know if the cam is advanced or retarded. Then you choose which key slot you need to the crank gear at to correct it.

titanium92

Something you can do yourself...either buy a countersink bit or just get bigger drill bit and don't go all the way through, just enough so you can sink those bolts flush.