Spent all day reconditioning the turbo oil return line flange on the block. It was really really bad and space is non existant so thats why it took all day, it was a real bitch.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...e/DSC00595.jpg

Almost there!!!

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...e/DSC00598.jpg

Tomarrow is judgement day for this royal piece of shit.

Now its show and tell time!!

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...e/DSC00601.jpg

This is what happens to your factory head bolts torqued to 58ft/lbs. So retorquing factory head bolts are not going to do a good god damn with threads like this.

It runs!!!!!

I still have to bleed the coolant, set base ignition timing, and then road test it.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...e/DSC00602.jpg

I would like to thank everyone who posted when I needed help, especially Bill_UK, I couldn't have done it without you!!

I will post my results after I road test it tomarrow.

Coolant is bled, base ignition timing is set to 11 degrees BTDC (I know stock is 10). Drove it for about 20 minutes straight, hit full boost twice, and the temp stayed right on the 7th mark on the stock gauge and my aftermarket gauge stayed inbetween 195-205F. TSRM says that full thermostat lift is at 212F and I didn't even come close to that so I think its ok. Only time will tell...........

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...e/DSC00603.jpg

congrats on the rebuild . it's a great feeling . i'll stop by and see you soon

Thanks Dan. Yeah, now let's see how long it lasts.

Took it on 84 yesterday, cruised at like 70 boosted it a couple times gauge read consistently at 195-200, then when I got off and waited at a stop light it crept up to around 205 but never got any higher than that.

Then today I just grandma'd it around backroads for a few minutes and when I got home I shut it off and the gauge read this-

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2...e/DSC00605.jpg

Now before I shut it off it was on the other side of 190 (around 195) but as soon as I shut it off (gauge is hooked up to ACC) the gauge reads 185. So I guess my guage is like 5-10 degrees inaccurate. Thats what I get for buying a cheapo electric temp gauge.

And whoever sticky'd this, wow thanks I'm flattered, I really am. I never thought I'd make a lasting impression on this site. Thanks again!

i drove mine on 95 today for about 30 miles , ran at about 80 mph (on average) my gauge stayed stuck on 170 on the way back i took back roads , same temp . have you hit FCO yet ?

Nope haven't hit fuel cut yet because I'm only running 7psi. Too scared to up the boost....yet.

Today it is kinda brisk out, around 40 degrees (past 2 days were like 65), so I took it for a long half hour drive. It drives like a dream (I did replace every single fluid in this car, trans, diff, coolant, oil, PS) Never got higher than 195F today and thats under full boost (7psi lol) and it really stayed below 190 most of the time, so I know ambient temp definately has something to do with my coolant temp. So I'm pretty much convinced its ok, for now. Like you said Dan, the paranoia will never fully go away, only gets lesser.

My super monitor reset to 0.0 because I had the battery disconnected for 3 months and has been working its way up. I drove it 20 miles so far and its up to 13.4mpg and will continue to go up the more I drive it. It was 18.7 before I started this thread (with a BHG). Which is pretty damn good for having a BHG.

you gotta love this cool,crisp air for boosting !

lets you sneak in an extra lb or two

if you look at my dyno run you'll see run #3 is when i hit FCO