Ok, I got the crankshaft bolt off. That thing was really on there. I had to stand on a 2.5' extension on a rachet handle and bounce on it for about 30sec before it started to budge.
Anyway... I got the cover off, and before I start replacing the chain/sprockets, what exactly is the best process to make sure I don't screw up the timing? I'm not sure that I fully understand the processes outlined in the writeup that TMS posted earlier.
Thanks for the help...

 

best practice - wipe all the oil off the face of the timing sprockets and locate the timing "dots". mark them with something. i like orange rtv. rotate the engine until the dots line up like in the picture below. you probably want to remove plugs so engine rotates easily. note that each sprocket has a keyway, so there are only 2 ways that it can go - correct, and wrong (180* out). unbolt and remove sprockets with engine in this position. don't turn the engine. don't remove the distributor. put the new sprockets in the chain, and slide the whole assy onto the crank and cam. then bolt them back on.



here's the old one. all worn out.

 

Thanks, that seems pretty straightforward. I'll give it a shot when I get off work tonight.

 

Am installing the new chain and sprockets. I know the crankshaft gets torqued to 135 ftlbs. What is the torque for the camshaft sprocket bolt?

Edit: Nevermind, I found it. It's 50 ft. lbs for the camshaft sprocket bolt.

 

I used Permatex Ultra Black on the timing chain cover gasket and the water pump gasket.
The instructions on the silicone say it cures in 24 hours. How long do I have to wait before I can start the engine? I'd like to be able to run it tonight to check for leaks and make sure everythings good. I just don't want to discover a major problem on my way to work tomorrow morning.

So is it ok to start it up in a couple hours, or do I need to wait a full 24 hrs?

Thanks...

 

As long as you thoroughly cleaned the mating surfaces and evenly tightened everything you should be OK IMO.

 

Yeah, I spent about an hour and a half making sure that all the mating surfaces were clean and free of any old gasket material, so hopefully I should be fine there.

Ok, going to the store to get more coolent and oil. Then the scary part, starting it up. Hope I put it all back together ok. No extra parts, so I think I should be good.

 

yeah. a couple of hours is fine. fingers crossed.

 

Filled with coolent and started it up. No funny noises or viberation, seems to run good with no leaks.
Only thing is, the top radiator hose got warm, however the bottom hose does not get warm, even though I let it idle at temp for about 10min. Is this normal? It doesn't overheat, so I guess it's ok?

 

normal. we actually have very good radiators (when they don't break).
take it for a spin, see how it runs.