I would say do the water pump and timing belt while the motor is out. The are both a bitch to do in the car.

I don't know about the CA, but with my L16 I pull the dizzy and that way can get to the shaft that drives the oil pump, I prime the oil pump using a cordless drill and also put lots of oil over the cam and squirt some down the bores to prelube everything. Then fire it up.

Yeah dried coolant (I have found that red nulon stuff the worst) leaves scale which should come out with a couple flushes, your w/pump will leak through the tell-tale hole if it is buggered, replace that if need when you do a coolant flush.

Sorry guys, should have said it has not had a rebuild.

if it hasn't been rebuilt then just start it i reckon. with the water pump if it works then leave it. if it leaks then you need a new one there's no real need to overhaul it.

just my opinions tho, good luck!

Got some fuel lines to finish, add fluids and turn the key.

Before I start. Should I pull the plugs and turn her over a few times to pump some oil around the motor??? Or will the CA oil pump not pump when its just turning over?

My parts supplier who builds drag cars reckons just turn the key and go as this causes less wear. As the oil pressure comes up quick when she starts.

Or should I take the rocker covers off and put some oil over the cams?

Its being turned over by hand occasionally and a few squirts of oil into the combustion chambers.

Was also told that I should have left coolant in the motor as it will shead scale as it drys out. So I got a special filter to catch any s#$@ before it goes into the radiator, but the mechanic reckons that the water pump may need an overhal. What you reckon?

Cheers