Valve shims and timing...

I use a dial caliper for precision measuring and I double check with a digital one.


Starting to do the valve timing


Richard, "l'heureux proprietaire" (the happy owner). He did a lot of work cleaning, painting parts and helping me with some tasks.

Timing chains and A head

Installed new primary timing chain.

Setting the space between the limiter and the chain.


Ready for the heads.



I use a long narrow plate to slide the chain over the sprocket, then I retrieve the end of the chain with a magnet.


Measuring the valve/cam shaft clearance. I enter the measurement in an XL spreadsheet I've designed to find out which shims I can reuse and the ones I have to buy.

Crankshaft and pistons...

Checking fro the lateral play of the crank.

New bearings but with some oxidation on surface. I've used a white Gex pad, very lightly, to remove the top oxidation.


The bottom shell is ready to be installed.

Last picture before closing the bottom.

Valves, oil pump and rings

Received the new exhaust valves.


I wish the engine would stay this clean...


The A head received a new intake valve also.


Leak test.


The engine is back and ready to be put back together.


A lot of crap in the oil pump!



Clean and ready to be put back together.



The B head had a tight valve guide. I've honed it gently with very fine grid until the valve was sliding correctly.

Leak test on the B head.


Started to do the rings. Long and tedious job.

One done, five to go...