Still have work to do like but she fired up on the first try.

 

congratulations! which engine? 22re or 3vz! It definitely feels amazing when you get it running on first try!

Good Luck! Hopefully there arent any leaks or surprises!

 

22RE
2 leaks so far but both were easy fixes. One coolant and one exhaust.

 

congrats. now lets see some pics

 

Just curious as to how you determine an exhaust leak? is it something obvious like smoke coming out or is there some test.

 

+1 for pics! And the exhaust leak finding method...I think I have one too

HGill - any luck on your idle issues after your HG job?

 

for me it was an obvious noise and some condensation coming out where it usually did not come from.

 

It was leaking at the connection between the manifold and Y pipe. One of the round gaskets weren't seated properly. It was a big leak and pretty loud.
I've had a leak there before so it was suspect. When I fired it up the second time I just put my hand down there and could feel the hot exhaust coming out.
Here's some pics.
Napa Exhaust gas test

Spark plugs

Before cleaning

After cleaning

After Deglazing cyllinders

 

I'll share this in case anyone else may have had the same problem.
The first time I had an exhaust leak where the Y pipe bolts to the Exhaust Manifold it was because the pipes that pipes that extend thru the flange on the Y pipe were almost 3/16 in, in spots where the gaskets are maybe 1/8 in thick so no matter how tight I got it it still leaked. I solved it by doubling up on the gaskets.
This time around I ground down the pipe to maybe 1/16 inch proud of the flange. Enough to position the gaskets but still allow them to seal.