Reconditioned Head, Looking for Smooth Re-start

Just pour about a 1/2 to 1 cup of fresh oil slowly over the rockers, rocker shaft, pushrods, valve tips, etc., prior to start-up. Liberally oil the rockers and shaft when assembling.

Make sure you put the long rocker shaft bolt in the rear-most position, and the flat on one end of rocker shaft pointing up and to the front.

You can re-torque the head gasket at your option; I always do. Sometimes a stray slightly loose bolt is found. Make sure you find and follow the proper sequence of head bolt tightening; I like to tighten them to around 20-25 ft lbs in sequence and then to the final 65 ft lb torque on the 2nd sequence.

GO to www.slantsix.org and find the article on intake/exhaust manifold bolts and gaskets. Study that and follow it closely, using the right parts; that is your most likely source of long term issues.

Use a rubber valve cover gaskets and pull the cover off a couple of times in the 1st few hundred miles to recheck your work.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!