Just curious: do any of you flush the block after a heads/cam swap?

I've been as careful as possible, but wouldn't mind wasting a few quarts of cheap oil before I start it up first time...

I haven't put the cam or heads back in, but wasn't sure if just pouring some oil thru the valley would be a decent idea or not?

And what about the coolant jackets?

 

Unless you live in a sand storm or know for sure you got something in there that would hurt it then you should be fine..

You could always do the first start up with cheap Dino oil for 5-10 min then change the oil and filter and add the good oil..

But only "you" know if something got in the engine

 

I'm fairly confident nothing substantial made its way in. I'm a little concerned about some head gasket material making its way inside, or maybe some bugs from being open for a few days (covered with plastic).

 

The bugs will grind right up!!!

 

What about the carbon gasket material that may have fallen into the water jackets? That's my real concern now.

 

wouldn't worry about it..but if you are....

Flush the cooling system out by disconnecting a hose if you want, start it up for 30 seconds and see if anything comes out..

Be sure to add more coolant and burp the system when you are done...