Hopefully not a cracked block....

[reload]

I've put several top ends together and I admit its been a while, but I don't think I've ever seen the rtv around the end water ports.  The only rtv I thought was required was on the front and back if you do that instead of using the small gasket pieces   I'll have to look it up soon myself, but on the rocker nuts I thought it was zero pushrod play and then 1/2 turn?

+1, zero lash and 1/2 turn. 

[1979C20]

I've put several top ends together and I admit its been a while, but I don't think I've ever seen the rtv around the end water ports.  The only rtv I thought was required was on the front and back if you do that instead of using the small gasket pieces   I'll have to look it up soon myself, but on the rocker nuts I thought it was zero pushrod play and then 1/2 turn?

+1, zero lash and 1/2 turn. 

well, im mot pullin the covers off now. When i first built the engine my dad told me zero lash, then back it off 3/4 turns. Maybe thats why i have a bit more power now.

[reload]

I've put several top ends together and I admit its been a while, but I don't think I've ever seen the rtv around the end water ports.  The only rtv I thought was required was on the front and back if you do that instead of using the small gasket pieces   I'll have to look it up soon myself, but on the rocker nuts I thought it was zero pushrod play and then 1/2 turn?

+1, zero lash and 1/2 turn. 

well, im mot pullin the covers off now. When i first built the engine my dad told me zero lash, then back it off 3/4 turns. Maybe thats why i have a bit more power now.

So you are saying you set zero lash, then BACKED off 3/4 of turn???  With hydraulic lifters.... 

[1979C20]

When i first built the engine, yes. I guess my dad didnt realize they were hydrolic.

[jaredts]

What about the rtv on the intake gasket?  Anyone else seen that or advise doing that?

[Grim 82]

I use the side gaskets as-is and use The Right Stuff gasket maker in the front and back instead of the rubber S-gaskets. RTV works too but I don't apply any to the faces of the side gaskets. Make sure to put some on the bolt threads or oil will leak up around them.

zero lash and a half turn

[1979C20]

Okay guys, just a quick update. In the WEEK I got to drive my truck before I lost my license for 3 months, my truck ran great! Ran at 200 pretty much all the time in the heat and 180 at night. I need to put water in the radiator as its about 1/5th low. I need to remove my oil cooler and get a standard oil filter adapter because my stock oil cooler lines are leaking pretty bad and I dont like it much. I lost 2 quarts in the week or so I drove it and i know it leaks. It has disgusting power now. I turned a corner and 1/4 pedal accelerated to 10 mph then nailed the throttle and squealed the tires through 1st gear, broke them loose again and burned 'em halfway through second. So im starting to thonk my truck always had conpression issues in those 2 cylinders. And, the 883's are consodered "the best of the worst" when it cones to flow.