I blew a head gasket a week or so ago and tore everything down and cleaned, replaced alot of stuff. I have everything reassembled now and am ready for a startup. I was wondering if there was anything that an inexperienced guy like me may have overlooked in the final stages of this process. Thanks guys!

 

Sorry, I should have clarified, I've got a 1989 Pickup 22rE.

 

well, that's pretty vague.

if you want to be OCD like me, nut and bolt(torque to specs) what you can see, as it is too late for what you can't see.

count your grounds....if it's a 22re like mine (if i recall correctly) there are 3.

charge your battery.

fill the coolant, double check you hose clamps...i actually had 2 loose ones and it's was very exciting for a minute on my initial start-up.

add oil.....i think that's an obvious one, but i bet there's more than a few people that have forgotten that part.

add some more info about what engine.

 

OK...i see that.

 

Thank you for all the suggestions. I have made sure that everything is torqued to spec, I have set my valve clearance, have my timing chain on correctly, have checked for coolant leaks with water... I was just wondering if there were any secrets that I may not know about...

 

coil wire off and crank until the oil light goes out was what we did to make sure the oil pump was ready (had packed with vaseline).

oil and new filter ready for an oil change soon after 1st start up.
if you painted anything like i did, get ready for the nauseating baking-paint smell

most of all , good luck and congratulate yourself when you are driving around in your truck.