I'm trying to check the valve timing and the opti, to see if was installed correctly. I haven't been able to find a good site that has all the steps to getting the opti off and then the front cover.. the streetillusionsracing.com page used to have a real nice breakdown of all the steps with pictures, but it looks like it went down. Anyone know of a good site that describes the entire procedure? What are the steps to removing the opti and front cover? So far I got this:
0. disconnect battery
1. remove serpentine belt
2. drain coolant and oil
3. drain the coolant from the engine block
4. remove fans (what all needs to be disconnected to allow the fans to come out under the car?)
5. remove the crank pulley and water pump
6. remove the opti
7. remove the crank hub (how do I get this off and how do I mark it?.. I know there isn't a key thing there)
8. remove some of the oil pan bolts
9. remove the front cover bolts and front cover (if there a particular bolt removal/install pattern?)
10. reverse to install.. (how exactly does the opti go back in.. something about the big spline matching up with the missing tooth on the opti?)
ALSO, how do I get coolant back into the engine block after filling up the radiator.. can I just unbolt it where the thermostat is and pull out the thermostat and pour coolant back into the block?

What else am I missing here?? I see tons of people on here talking about how there opti's crap out on them, even just some information on removing and installing the opti would be helpful?

 

The best site I can think of is Shoebox site..just look under the cam removal and you get the steps you need for your opti and timing cover removal.

http://shbox.com/ci/cam_removal.html

 

You don't need to bother the front cover to check the opti.

 

need to check the valve timing as well.

 

That's not a normal thing to have to do. I guess you have some special reason?

 

just going back and checking the guy who installed my cam's work to try and figure out why i'm only making 7-9" hg vaccuum at idle on a 224/224 cam, which is causing the car to run rich enough that the plugs all foul out pretty quickly..

On another note, I just started taking stuff off my car and was wondering how you get the coolant block drain plugs out? what exactly do you use to get it out, cuz on the LH side the plug (not the knock sensor one) sits at a angle and there is this big @ss bolt that runs right in front the plug (unlike the one on your picture, which has no bolt in the way), so there is no way the get a socket on there and with where it is located a wrench can't grip it properly, the best grip I can get with the wrench is with the open end and it at such a bad angle that it is for sure just gonna break the plug with some torque on it..