We'll, it's 2:30am and I got the exhaust manifold off without pulling the radiator. I see that the waste gate actuator is indeed bound up somewhat. I put about 10 lbs into it and it moved the bellcrank about 7 degrees or so, sometimes, sometimes not, and it hangs a little on the return sometimes.
I have 2 questions I need answers for tomorrow. First, should the wastegate be held shut by the spring action when tightening the bracket to the compressor? At rest the flange is about 1/4" shy of mating with the compressor housing and the 3 bolts draw the bracket flush with the compressor housing and compress the inner spring when they mate. Is the wastegate supposed to be held that tightly at rest? I kinda think so, but I'm checking cause I don't want to pull this thing off again!
Secondly, these metal gaskets- I got new ones for the exhaust to head and dump pipe to manifold when I assembled this thing 3 weeks ago and I wonder if I can reuse them? I couldn't get the dump pipe to downpipe gasket at the time so I reused that old bent one and it worked fine. I would think these 3 week old ones will seal up fine as well. Any thoughts on that?
While I have it apart I have to put a crank seal on it, or maybe a pan gasket, not sure where the leak is until I get the crank pulley off for a look. Could be cam seals instead. Sad thing is I replaced all 3 last year at this time. Must have been poor quality that came with the timing set.
One more question- crush washers on the banjo bolts, anyone ever reuse them? I always had to replace them on brakes but the pressure was much higher. I might not be able to get the right size tomorrow.