Andy74tii

Run4wrd, I have been reading about the scotchbrite debate as well.  I asked my mechanic what he does, and literally he uses a scotchbrite (looked red or maroon to me, pretty coarse) on an air tool. As we talked he had the most beautiful fjord 3.0CSi on the lift (yes, a CSi, not a CS), and a 1600 he was working on.  He is really about the only guy left who knows anything about tiis in the Denver area.... anyway my point is I absolutely trust him, so I think the scotchbrite thing should be fine....

Thanks for the tip! I'm actually leaning toward the IE shorty header right now, but will look into that. I was looking for  a post I saw a long time ago about cleaning the pistons while still in the block, but cannot find it with the search.  Do you have any tips around how to do that safely and effectively?

Yes, it's an E12 head, and those are the shallow piano tops.... appreciate the advice on the shorty header, i was just looking at that one on the IE site... thanks!!

Thanks for these data points, very helpful!  I've been out of the 02 game for a while, and so not sure what's happening with parts these days; it's good to hear that maybe things are getting back in production.  

What I have heard on the cutting ring gasket is that you do need to machine the head again once they're removed.  They apparently do put a small impression into the surface.

Thanks again!

Yes, that is a stock camshaft

Good tip about the head gasket. I know the engine has been rebuilt once (under my ownership) so I guess I will learn about the height issue soon.... Did you use a cutting ring gasket?  In my old receipts, I did see my old mechanic used one of those....

I've been thinking about brakes as well. I assume the tii rotors are still NLA, is that correct?  If so, have you thought about an alternative that might have parts that are at least avaiable (wildwood, big brake option, etc.)?  

Good thoughts, and I too have the VW locking tool which I have used before for another purpose.  I wasn't planning on locking the flywheel, but you have a good point.  I was just planning on doing the old "suspend the crank pulley and keep tension on it while the head is out" trick....

No, the stuck nuts are just a couple that are holding on the exhaust manifold, so I will just take the manifold off after I lift the head off.  I need to take the head off because I suspect I have either a cracked head (worst case scenario) or blown head gasket (medium case scenario).  This is my hypothesis based on the car consuming coolant.  In any event, I noted the old "blue smoke on the overrun" issue, which means the valve seals might be going, so I do want to refresh the head.  It's got about 75,000 miles (over 17 years) on the clock since the rebuild, so it might be time anyway.

My motivation is to prepare the car for a longish road trip to see some friends in Spokane this spring, to replicate a trip I took out there in 1982 with my old 74 2002 (non tii).  After that, I will need to make a decision about keeping this tii, or perhaps passing it on to a new owner.... who knows?