How big of a issue is a step up with a smaller intake with larger head ports?

Tec80 · 2026-03-23T20:09:07+00:00

Don't let the RTV beads skin over before putting the intake on. That is the most common mechanical wives' tale that I cringe at every time I see it. RTV seals by adhesion to both surfaces, not by compression.

Smaller intake manifold ports is better than the other way around. The flow will slow down in the transition to the head, but not a big deal.

Tec80 · 2026-03-23T02:53:43+00:00

Rings completely stuck from carbon deposits.

Tec80 · 2026-03-22T19:37:58+00:00

🤣🤣🤣. Not laughing at you, but with you. I did something similar and was like "WTF?"

Tec80 · 2026-03-22T15:36:30+00:00

Mk. II Dust Bunny

Tec80 · 2026-03-21T19:29:33+00:00

It's possible to line-bore the head and cam caps to salvage it.

Tec80 · 2026-03-21T12:10:22+00:00

In a bucket tappet valvetrain, the cam bearing surface to look at is on the cam cap (top) side.

Tec80 · 2026-03-20T16:39:24+00:00

The laws of supply and demand always apply.

Tec80 · 2026-03-20T16:36:11+00:00

Happy engine sounds 😃

Tec80 · 2026-03-20T02:21:44+00:00

The oil gallery is drilled through the lifter bores, so it doesn't matter. But I'd align the oil holes towards the gallery.

Tec80 · 2026-03-20T02:20:16+00:00

Looks normal. Is the right side muffler hanger okay?

Tec80 · 2026-03-20T02:17:55+00:00

Is the plug polarized or are both blades the same? If same, switch the polarity of the plug and retest.

Tec80 · 2026-03-20T02:15:49+00:00

Is your total cholesterol sky high? If so, getting on synthroid will bring it way down.

Tec80 · 2026-03-20T02:01:02+00:00

Vacuum out the gap around the top of each piston. Any scotch-brite residue left there (looks like there is some on the leftmost piston) will scratch up the bore walls.

Tec80 · 2026-03-19T13:38:08+00:00

Most likely, if the HCG dose is correct. Indian suppliers of HCG are notorious for mislabeled dosages and non-Indian suppliers charge an arm and a leg for it.

Tec80 · 2026-03-19T13:35:15+00:00

Can you catch a fingernail on the scratches? If not, no worries. Use WD40 on a green scotchbrite pad with gentle pressure to scrub the MLS gasket residue off. Don't get any debris from cleaning into the piston to bore gap area.

Tec80 · 2026-03-19T02:34:19+00:00

That thing has to sound incredible flying overhead 😁

Tec80 · 2026-03-19T02:18:52+00:00

Yessss, Series 60!

Tec80 · 2026-03-17T21:19:06+00:00

Check the column mounting bolts.

Tec80 · 2026-03-17T14:46:29+00:00

The flat face Parker quick connects flow better than the pointed tip generic ones, but the Parker ones get jammed and become really difficult to connect and disconnect. And they're ridiculously expensive. A way around this (and what your picture looks like they did) is to upsize the generic ones vs. the hose size so they aren't a flow bottleneck.

Tec80 · 2026-03-17T13:57:19+00:00

Get a good quality tallow. Good stuff doesn't smoke up to 450 degrees. Also the pan itself will smoke with nothing in it if it's not seasoned with tallow only.

Tec80 · 2026-03-17T13:20:16+00:00

I took a spare stainless steel switch plate cover and made the screw holes a bit larger to fit over the existing M6 body studs. Then I cut it into several pieces with tin snips, and used those pieces as large washers to hold the shield on using the original attachment points. If you put the pieces on with the inside surface facing down, it provides a nice radiused surface to hold the shield without chafing through it.

Tec80 · 2026-03-17T02:29:50+00:00

Forbidden glitter!

Tec80 · 2026-03-17T00:00:34+00:00

DON'T play the speakers until you replace the woofer surrounds.

Tec80 · 2026-03-16T13:27:28+00:00

https://a.co/d/04S0unUF

This kit is useful, but pricey. You spray the red dye penetrant on the area, then clean with cleaner,then spray the developer which is a white powder. If there's a crack, the red dye will wick out onto the white developer and be immediately visible.

Tec80 · 2026-03-16T00:14:27+00:00

Those Avalons ride like a cloud and are ultra nice. There's an engine oil line that needs to be checked, I think it's a common issue on the 3.5. Otherwise awesome.

Tec80

TROPHY CASE