951 Resurrection - after 7 years of storage

[Tom]

There is significant build-up on the engine near the crankshaft pulley. I knew this engine bay was a filthy mess before this teardown began but underestimated just how bad it was.

I think at this point I should replace all of the front seals while I'm in there rather than clean up the grime and re-assemble to try and find the source of the leak and have to tear down again. Maybe after a thorough scrubbing there will be an obvious source of the leak.

Agreed -- replace all the seals while you're in there. Otherwise, you nearly guarantee something else will leak in short order!

[Meine44]

I may as well do intake manifold gaskets as well. I think it would be a good idea to pull the intake and clean the top of the engine as part of this overhaul.

Has anyone had any experience with the intake manifold stud conversion kits?
Not sure they are that much more convenient than just using the OEM intake manifold hardware.

[Tom]

Well, they reduce the risk of stripping out the threads and keep the gasket in place when installing the manifold, so that's the upside. They can make getting the manifold on and off a bit more cumbersome (and risk scratching the mating surface), and one of them needs to be removed to get to a head stud nut. I just use the factory bolts -- and lots of helicoils over the years.

[Meine44]

I've had good luck with sliding the bolts through the manifold and placing the gaskets on that way before dropping the "sub-assembly" down onto the intake. Keeps the gaskets in place for the most part but it is a little cumbersome.

I would rather use factory hardware and *hope* to not need helicoils rather than risk damage to the mating surface. Seems like more of a hassle.