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Today I was so excited to get my lower manifold and valley pan gasket back on. Attempting a non leaking top-end I was super focused on cleaning all the matting surfaces and sealing everything to perfection. After completion and in awe of my excellent work I took this photo only to realize there was something critically wrong. Can anyone spot my mistake?
Finally today after trying to do a drive cycle to get the EVAP sensor to kick on with no luck, I said what the heck, drove it to DEQ. They passed it! Tomorrow I go and get it titled and licensed.
I'm a little behind following this thread, but yes, the pushrods and rocker arms can be installed after the lower intake --- if you're careful. I think I made the same error when I did the headgaskets on my truck six years and 48,000 miles ago.
It's really not that difficult. Insert each pushrod through its hole in the head maintaining the correct angle to contact the lifter cup. A little wiggling and looking at the angle of the pushrod should confirm you got it into the right position. Gravity will hold them in place (mostly) as you perform the next step. After you've done that with all eight pushrods on one side very carefully set the rocker shaft in place and get the rocker shaft bolts just started in their bores to hold the shafts in place. Then, as is says in the RAVE, "engage push rods" to ensure they are seated correctly in their recess on each rocker arm.
Again, you'll need to rely on feel and visual inspection to ensure each pushrod remains seated in its lifter cup. If one gets knocked out of its cup just put it back in place. A pushrod knocked out of place will not fall into the valley. It will just look oddly positioned.
Once this step is complete tighten the rocker shaft bolts per the RAVE, do another visual inspection and move on to the other head and the rest of the reassembly.
Finally today after trying to do a drive cycle to get the EVAP sensor to kick on with no luck, I said what the heck, drove it to DEQ. They passed it! Tomorrow I go and get it titled and licensed.
Congrats! Always nice to be through one of these silly hoops!