No idea what to do next

[CaptainCronos]

Originally Posted by sastanley

When preparing for head re-installation, make sure you get the "fat" nuts on MMI's site..those are designed to secure the head via the studs without washers. I have washers and little nuts all over mine from PO's work. :thumbsdown:

except i can't find them over in the catalog ??
edit here they are..in the block section.. https://moyermarine.com/product/head...d-oblk_08_188/

17 of those hugh? Does save me having to use washers, I guess that's a good thing. Spent the day scraping bits of gaskets off the exhaust manifold, and the water jacket plate, and the valve cover. Seems the valve cover plate was cork? Confused as to why someone would permatex that down (incorrectly no less) when someone has to go in there like every 100 hours.

Picked up the 15 psi gauge with shrader valve. Adapted that for 1/2 hosing to pressure test the water jacket. Started adding gaskets, studs, etc to shopping cart and figured out that I have gone past $250 and have no guarantee that the block isn't cracked or something and no way of knowing until it's all back together.

[CaptainCronos]

Ok. Parts are on order.

[sastanley]

CaptCro,
I always recommend chatting directly with Ken when you are ordering parts (call the parts line and have a talk with him about everything you are dealing with.) He has built more A-4s in his day than you know. He always provides excellent guidance.

[CaptainCronos]

Thanks. Yeah. We had a nice long discussion.