Yes, that is normal because you have the nikasil coating. My 98 R with 234K doesn't have one either. Valve seals are a good idea. Adjusting valve clearance while you're there is a bad idea and not recommend unless you enjoy spending hours going mad.

 

Measured the heads. Straight as an arrow, no warpage.
Tore into replacing the valve seals yesterday and got done with one head. I'm 100% sure they were leaking.

 

 

Heads with new seals ready to go back in

 

you need a few or ing for the timing cover that are unique to the supercharged cars,otherwise you will get an oil leak through the tensioner bolt...i may have an extra set let me know if you need them

 

Can yu clarify as to what you are refering to? I'm sitting here looking at the timing cover doubfounded.

 

Are these what you are referring to?

 

Heads are back on. New hoses are in. Time for a good timing

 

 

Nice job. Really satisfing when it will run again. Good luck

 

Do you know if your water pump has a plastic impeller on it? The reason I ask is because that pump looks kind of old. The plastic ones give lots of problems. If it's the plastic, I'd upgrade to the metal style for reliability.

 

Back after a 3 week vacation. I will try to wrap this up this week.

 

Here it's coming together over the past 3 days

 

Here's the first startup:

 

Now I have to troubleshoot the ABS module and a starting up issue with p1336 code. I suspect the crankshaft position sensor.

 

Wow nice work! Hope you get her on the road soon.

 

Super job, I'd love to be able to tackle something like this!
Is it me or does the piston nearest to the old gasket failure point look a lot cleaner than the others....?

 

A blown gasket to the waterjacket will basically steam clean the carbon deposits off that chamber.