Where both the head and block clean of all old gasket material/rust etc before putting them on? I like to spray brake clean on and wipe down any mating surface before i put gaskets on. Some use the small sanding pads to clean off the surfaces but i have been using these. They work great but you have to be careful when using them.

 

Yeah, do the ports at the rear of the heads/intake as well. It's cheap insurance.

I use the Roloc whiz wheels to clean gasket surfaces. Keep in mind, there are difference whiz wheels for different materials. DO NOT use one designed for steel on an aluminum manifold. Bad things result. I just use the ones for aluminum on everything.

 

when installed the engine? Yes, the block was a reman an the heads were new so just a good wipe down with a solvent an i was good to go.

 

Rocker arms, what is the ideal process on these? I think last time it took some digging around to find out "the right" way to do them. I think i remember just torquing them all to spec in one shot, could be wrong not 100%
is that way ok to do or should i be jumping from cylinder to cylinder?

 

Procedure is in the service manual. I think you rotate the crank till a mark lines up with something, and then just torque 'em all down. I don't recall the particulars though.