Ok, just the simple stuff. I have collected all the parts -- gaskets, water pump, oil pan, valve covers, intake manifold, etc. -- and I want to throw them all back on the donor engine this Saturday. That said, I can't say I know exactly where I am supposed to use silicone gasket material and where I am not suppoosed to use it. Are there some simple guidlines available somewhere?

I have very little mechanical ability so I purchased books for restoring, paint prep, engine rebuild, etc. I bought a couple of books from Amazon and was amazed at the detail. Fortunately, the Bronco I bought didn't need engine work. Here are the books I purchased but did not end up using:

http://www.amazon.com/Rebuild-Small-Blo ... b_title_bk

http://www.amazon.com/How-Rebuild-Small ... 987&sr=8-1

I would offer them to you, but I gave them away at the May Breakfast.

And where to use assembly lube, etc. I honestly don't know myself, but I know there are critical areas to use certain materials...

J.D.

I do not like silicone. The ONLY places I use it are places the factory would use it. Common places on an engine would be in the corners of the oil pan gasket where the hump is and near the front where the timing cover meets the block against that tiny little seam. Only on the block side of the gasket. Only other place I would use it is the end pieces on the intake manifold. They give you gaskets for the ends but not many use them as that is one place silicone does a better job imo. Also get yourself some of 'the right stuff' silicone. It is a bit more expensive than typical silicone but WAY better! Sounds more like you are doing an engine reseal than an engine overhaul so you shouldn't need to mess with assembly lube or head gaskets if its just a reseal as it sounds.

Agreed, agreed. I realized I probably mis-stated my efforts for the weekend. Just an engine reseal. I much appreciate all of the advice. We'll see how it goes. Thanks!

if you had your cam out ..there is a plug on back side of motor that should get a little dap also

I have 4 small block Ford rebuilding books and this one is BY FAR the best of them all:

http://www.amazon.com/Rebuild-Small-Blo ... b_title_bk

It's full-color and walks you step by step through the entire process.

I haven't actually started on my build yet but this will definitely be the book I reference most.

Thanks for the advice on the books everyone! I certainly need to pick one up. Got everything back together and it turned out pretty well I think. The valve covers that my carb guy gave me didn't fit -- these are the "Powered by Ford" fully rectangular type, rather than the type that are angled at the top corners that I needed. Not sure what these would fit on, buit they are available! Now I have to get some of the other miscellaneous parts back on -- water pump, distributor, brackets -- and transfer over the torque converter, etc. -- and I should be almost ready to get the engine back into the 75DBE. Woo hoo!

Oh yeah, I forgot. I could use some advice on freeze plugs. Some of them were popped out on this donor engine -- I know, I know. Anyone have any advice -- should I pop all of them out and replace or just replace the ones that have popped out? Thoughts?