Topic: Opening an engine, what should I check/replace/look for?

[ncstatecamp]

I was trying to think of which gaskets I'd heard anything about an Athena was the one I had heard bad things about. When I took off all the covers to polish them I ended up lazer cutting all my own but can't really do that for head or base...

What exactly is a port job? I always hear that and couldn't figure it out.

[setdog]

"Some" white smoke on startup, I believed was considered normal.
Oil leak by the exhaust valve? Is it coming out the exhaust port? Into the exhaust pipes?
Or just leaking onto the fins?

Try to determine exactly and accurately where this oil leak is coming from, otherwise
You seem to be headed towards an unnecessary rebuild. 

[ncstatecamp]

Set dog, originally I thought it was a head gasket leak but after watching a rebuild video and looking at a few threads I'm pretty sure it's the stud seals. From what I understand when one of those tears/brakes/leaks it can easily look like a head gasket leak since that vents to the air. Obviously something in the engine is leaking and I've got 90 psi when I had 120 so other stuff has worn down too. Most of this is, while I've got an engine with unknown wear I might as well do some recommended replacements so down the line, when I don't have access to my tools I won't need to.

[flybox1]

What exactly is a port job? I always hear that and couldn't figure it out.

cliff notes version - cylinder head 'porting' is the cleaning and reshaping of the intake and exhaust 'ports' to maximize flow, and power output.

[setdog]

The reason for my reply is because I tore down an engine because a pistone wouldn't fire.
Turned out all I needed was to clean carbs better.

[ncstatecamp]

Alright thanks fly, I thought it might've been something like this. Is this a difficult task or just time consuming? Recommended?

Setdog- I had another thread a while back where the consensus was it was those stud covers. The lack of compression is newer but previously assumed.

[flybox1]

Alright thanks fly, I thought it might've been something like this. Is this a difficult task or just time consuming? Recommended?

not something you can adequately do at home. 
contact member mrieck.  he IS the guy.

[bjatwood]

Ok one question that has been overlooked here by all. After the 5K run, did you check your timing and readjust your valves before the compression test?

[ncstatecamp]

Ok one question that has been overlooked here by all. After the 5K run, did you check your timing and readjust your valves before the compression test?

At about the 3.5k mark I did a full 3k tune up. Timing, points gap, tappet adjustments, etc. so it's not all spot on but not totally out yet.