Jan 14th 2008 - Tonight was a busy night... I was determined to work my ass off and get as much done on the van before I burned out and needed to get some sl... Show moreeep.
Check list includes :
-Making my own adjustable wastegate arm. (Ghetto, but it works)
-Re-installing head on the block (Harder to re-install then remove when by yourself)
-Torqued head to specs
-Attached fuel lines
-Re-mounted timing gear (with retained timing)
-Attached vacuum lines
-Attached electrical connectors
-Re-attached wiring harness to firewall bulkhead (Pain in the ass)
-Installed plugs and wires
-Re-mounted alternator
-Installed throttlebody
-Installed thermostat
-Installed lower intercooler hose
-Installed turbo inlet hose
-Mock-fitted Intercooler to pipe to check clearances
After 6 hours of working in the garage, Im exhausted.. More tomorrow.
Jan 13th 2008 - Mock-up of gauge pod. Still unsure what im doing with this. ( AUTOMETER; Boost, Tranny temp, and Pyrometer gauge )
Aswell as my Turbo Action RMVB
January 10th 2008: As of tonight the head is fully finished and ready for re-installation. Also the Intercooler is re-painted and ready for installation aswell.
Check page 3 for racing bet made with best friend!
As of January 8th 2008: I installed the 20 injectors, installed the intake, and exhaust manifold and installed the garrett onto the manifold. The head is almost ready to be re-installed in the van. All thats left to do now is run the coolant lines and it'll be ready to go!
As of December 27th 2007: Cylinder head is off!
I removed the cylinder head / intake manifold / exhaust manifold / turbo / fuel rail, as a complete unit. It weighed close to 100 pounds easily, and quite awkward. Many people advised against removing it by yourself, but you can do it if you've got a bit of muscle. IMO.
Once it was on the bench, I removed the turbo, then exhaust manifold, then the intake. A few of the bolts were in a real PITA spot, requiring you to remove the parts in that order to access the last few bolts. I didn't take pictures because I was having too much fun tearing it apart. = )
Next on the list is cleaning the gasket surfaces, painting the valve cover and intake manifold again, installing the 20's, installing the manifolds and the Garrett turbo. Then its just a matter of re-installing the head and putting all the pieces back together. I'll keep updating as I can.
Although it may look like #2 and #3 cylinder has issues with the crap in the cylinder, its just debris from the head removal, I simply need to vacuum it out.
Update : All gasket surfaces on turbo, intake, exhaust and cylinder head have been cleaned and are ready for re-assembly. Show Less