Today at Atelier Kaz - ex-Honda R&D, F1, Indy/CART engineer

The owner is already aware of this but there was air or debris trapped at the centre upper section of the front valve cover. Also, at the front valve cover, there was straight line showing up as if from the trace of masking tape.




Before installing the valve cover, the mating surface especially around the #1 and #4 cam holders must be cleaned and degreased to this level. Otherwise, the oil will start leaking very soon.
Also, the plug hole surface has to be cleaned and degreased.




No excess liquid gasket please and keep the area oil free.



So much better now. Before/after.




I normally dress the engine briefly before putting it back into the bay but as I don’t know what kind of coating method was used and how it was baked for the valve cover, decided to dress the engine except the valve covers.
I don’t want to leave stain markings on the fresh coating so will leave them as they are for now.

Just placed the centre intake manifold cover briefly for the colour check. Again, not going to apply any dressing material on here.




As reported earlier, heavy rust at the EGR valve. Not a problem but bit eye sore when rest of the area is so clean.....