Hey everyone,

The car is back together and running ok so far. I cleaned things as best I could and installed a new timing device. I wiped the timing chain down with a rag to remove any bits that may have been sticking to it. I cleaned out the sump as well as I could through the side opening, with rags, solvents, and a magnet. I probably got 98% of the debris out.

I filled the sump with new dino Delvac 1300 and ran the car for approx 5 hours / 150 miles as a flush, then drained that out. Although I did not put a magnet inside the sump, I did put a very strong magnet externally on the drain plug. There was a small amount of metal clinging to the plug when I removed it. I cut open the filter and did find quite a few tiny metal particles, visible as shiny specks (they don't show up well in the photo, unfortunately). I installed a new Knecht filter, 2 gallons of M-1 "TDT" 5W-40 CI-4, and the car has been running fine for the last 500+ miles. I left the magnet on the drain plug for now.

I will change the oil in 6,500 miles (at 300k) and at that time I will probably pull the side sump again, for a visual inspection internally. And I will cut open the oil filter again as well. The latest photos are at this URL, near the bottom of the list.