455HO Engine Question
I have a couple of three or four questions for those of you that are far more experienced than me. I have had my engine, for the most part, assembled and buttoned up for some time now. By buttoned up, I mean, the whole spinning assembly including a BOP neoprene rear seal installed, everything properly torqued and covered with the pan. New, hydraulic Comp Cams RA IV "T" camshaft, lifters, stock length pushrods and 1.5 roller tip rockers. Heads were freshened up and new stainless exhaust valves installed. Heads had previously been cut and calculated to bring C.R. up to 8.92:1 with .030" overbore, mild bowl porting, three angle and back cut to improve flow. Heads are torqued and valves adjusted to zero lash + 1/4 turn using BB Chevy studs. Valve covers, Valley pan, Distributor, Intake, Carburetor and Timing Cover are just loosely bolted and/or sitting in place to protect internals from dust and debris. I said all that to ask the following. 1. How often, if at all, should I remove the plugs, squirt some oil in the cylinders and rotate the engine? 2. Should I reuse my Cloyes timing set, 10 yrs old, but only 5,000 miles on it, not sure if it has to much slack on it or not? I don't know how to judge what is too much. It is certainly looser than a new one. It has about thirty 1/8 mile passes from the dragstrip and the rest are street miles. 3. Should I replace the wear washer between the block and the cam gear? I can see and feel the wear grooves in it. I don't know if I need one or not, this one has lasted 38 years. Where can I get a quality replacement if needed. I don't want to trust a cheap Japanese built replacement part from some auto parts store or restoration dealer. Tell me if I'm being anal about this, I've just never replaced one. There may be no harm in an aftermarket one, I don't know. I know i don't want metal in the oil pan. I apologize to everyone for making such a long post, but I just need a little help from some of you guys.
P.S. I would love to own an old Sun Machine also. I've saw a few. They wanted $400 for them though. I know they cost a lot more back then, but nobody wants them but us now.
Thanks, Eddie
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