Ok so lets talk putting head back on now! It is due to arrive on thursday so will be starting to put it back together then. Just so that I am prepared, when eveything is back in one piece, plan is to :
set valve timing,
turn over by hand for 5 or 6 turns and make sure it is all smooth,
remove the injector connections, remove spark plugs,
refil cooling system,
change oil and filter
turn over on the key for 3 x 10 second blasts
check the valve timing again - just to make double sure all is Ok!
Then plugs in, injector leads back on and fire her up for a minute,
stop, top up water again and then run for 5 mins with heater on full blast,
leave to cool down over night then top up water / oil again,

Go for a gentle run!

ANyone think of anything else I need to do really?? I want to make sure I have all the air bled from the cooling system before I take it out as the roof is down at the moment and I dont want to risk putting it up in the cold so I need the heaters working!!

Also, do the head bolts need re-torquing after a period of miles? From the service manual it say torque them all to 4DNM then in 90degree stages to 270 degrees but doesnt mention re-torquing - maybe you dont as the bolts are not torqued up as such they are stretched

Ta

Chris

Has the head been washed out to remove any swarf, assuming it's been skimmed?

Think I might be tempted to put some cheap 10w40 in first as a flush, then warm it up before putting some good stuff in with a new filter.

HP

Good point, will go get some cheap oil as you suggest. The head will have been skimmed, new valves, new springs, new seals etc but I have an air compressor so will give all a good blow out before installing

Ta

Chris

Good luck, hope it ll goes OK.

thanks Doc, lets face it, if it goes bad, its good as well!as you guys have the pick of the spares, there isnt much missing and all the interior is in good nick!! (but that is last resort!!!) i have no reason to suspect it will not go well and that the B will be back on the road in no time. Only problem is I found some tin worm on the MG so the Fiat may have to go to pay for the bare metal re-spray I always wanted to give the car!!

No there stretch bolts so don't need re-torqing.

Thanks for the clarification bill