Bought a 2000 Boxster S project.

[elgyqc]

Today I started work on the 3.2l replacement engine. First thing I did was to verify the cylinders with my borescope... and there is no sign of scoring, that's a relief.
So far I have the bank one camshafts off so the tensioner pads can be replaced. The cams were properly synchronised (evidently, or the engine would not have run) but the short chain that connects the them was not installed the way it is supposed to be, with the odd coloured links aligned with the dimples on the cams.
Secondly I found the source of the beige sealant that was in the oil pickup screen. It was used on the cam cover to head joint. There was not a lot of it but the excess that is squeezed out of the mating surfaces does not stay in place, it easily comes loose and ends up in the bottom of the engine. The black sealant on the oil pan on the other hand stays in place (to the point where it is difficult to remove) even though there is a lot more of it.
Newart's video on changing the tensioner pads (starring yours truly) is very useful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXfR60GAJd0

[Homeoboxter]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

The cams were properly synchronised (evidently, or the engine would not have run) but the short chain that connects the them was not installed the way it is supposed to be, with the odd coloured links aligned with the dimples on the cams.

Are you sure the small chain was offset? The colored links line up with the dimples only at assembly, some chains are not even marked. The dots on the sprockets have to be six links apart.

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by Homeoboxter

Are you sure the small chain was offset? The colored links line up with the dimples only at assembly, some chains are not even marked. The dots on the sprockets have to be six links apart.

OK, now I understand. I assumed, for no reason, that the chain length and sprocket sizes meant that those links would always line up with the dimples, not very logical when you think about it. Thanks.

I had to take some parts that were missing from my replacement engine off the broken engine... and have ended up starting to disassemble it. The heads are off and next is splitting the crank case. The heads and cylinders look fine. The videos on youtube by "Man in a garage" are great and I am encouraged to go further. Depending on the condition of the rods and the crank I may even consider putting the engine back together rather than parting it out. I'll post pictures when I see the crank.