M20 Engine Detail Project

[cat97628]

I will be starting my engine detail project over the next couple weeks and was wondering what else to tackle while i have the hood off and parts out.

I will be replacing the valve cover, intake manifold, and exhaust manifolds with powder and ceramic coated ones. I will also be installing new silicone coolant hoses and vacuum lines. I will be doing ignition updates as well with new wires, plugs, cap, rotor, and coil.

The timing belt was done in march of 07' 10k miles ago. The waterpump was done in september of 07' 9k miles ago. The thermostat was done in January of 08' 7k miles ago. I have no idea if the tensioner was done but if I was to guess I would say no because the prior owner didn't do the water pump at the same time as the timing belt.

What else to do? Should I go ahead and replace the timing belt, waterpump, and tensioner while I am in there? How about valve adjustments? How big of jobs are they?

[Jand3rson]

I'd say the waterpump and thermostat are fine, but I would replace the tensioner. I can't remember off the top of my head what it is for timing belt, but 10k rings a bell, so do it while you're in there anyway. Valve adjustment is really easy, definitely do that, too. Top the valve cover off with some stainless acorn nuts.