ok, I've gathered from reading here that the only way to clean the sludge trap is with the cases split. is that absolutely true?
I have the super rocket to get around to, and was feeling for end play in the cranks, etc. the crank is nicely tight, very little play. the cam has a little more side play, but neither moves at all up and down in their bushings/bearings. no tap or knock that I can discern.
the thing is my cases have been open to whatever might fall in by the PO, left sitting with the barrels off. I've already found pine needles, moth wings, and tons of blue silicon sealant in and around them. So by this I pretty much know I should split the cases and verify that things are clean in there before I go any further.
I assume I can do this without having to replace anything (yeah, right, like that'll happen) if everything was happy before the split?
any thoughts? I have asked for input on modifications I might make to the engine while I'm at it, I have been told things like the end feed conversion, the needle bearings on the timing side, but I'm not sure if anyone stateside can pull either of those off.