I am rebuilding a 225 and have a few questions.

1) I noticed a rattle in the head and looking in the hole where the thermostats goes I see a few wires about the size of a coat hanger wire. I can remove one of them and put in back in. I assume these are some how used to even out the distribution of the heat. Should I leave this wire in or take it out?

2) I am trying to put a new oil pick up tube in but it will not thread into the block easily, it starts but stops after one turn. The threads look fine and both the old and new tubes measure 18 threads per inch. The old and new pick-up tubes look identical. Could I have the wrong tube? I can only find one that matches this car (1973, Scamp, 225) The old tube threads back in perfectly should I clean and reuse?

3) Using gasket seals. All mating surfaces are smooth and clean. Should I use gasket sealer on the Timing cover, Water pump, fuel and oil pumps, etc?


Thanks in advance for everyones advice and help.


Bruce

Remove them. They are a remnant of the casting process and serve no purpose once the cylinder head has been cast. I usually grab these with a pair of pliers and start twisting/turning the pliers until one end of the wire breaks off and I can yank the rest out.
Sounds like the new pickup tube has munged threads despite appearances. You can clean and reuse the old one.
You can use a light layer of spray Copper-Cote or a smear of Hylomar if you like.

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