beanache,
one small point. If/when you order the small o-rings for the oil crossover tube, don't replace the old ones until you are putting the new shims in, otherwise, order 2 pairs of o-rings. If you replace the o-rings while measuring the shims, then order the shims, then have to wait a week or 2 for the shims, and still ride, the o-ring material will begin to age from the heat, and might be damaged (but not enough to be noticed by the naked eye) during reassembly of the motor. Now, over a 2 week period, a very small nick might not be a big deal, but put the engine back together with a damaged o-ring and then put 12,000 miles on it with weak pressure, and it might be a different story altogether. Not trying to sound like a know-it-all, or anything, but just something for someone doing this the first time. I didn't even think about it till I did it the first time, measured my shims, and then realized that as I was getting ready to put my new o-rings on, I was going to have to disassemble them again in 2 weeks. So, I lubed up the old ones, gave them a good looking over, and put them back in until the new shims came, THEN replaced them. Just my 2 cents...
Excellent post and pics by the way. It is a VERY daunting job when jumping into it the first time, but once you've done it, it's not that bad as long as you take your time and proceed carefully.
