Here's a pic of me pulling the engine out of my 612 yesterday!

I aligned the cams perfectly. There are both rear marks and also marks at rear portion of the front cam caps (if that makes sense).

Now that I know I've got it perfect, for the next timing belt change I will likely just mark the cam gears and do the belts without pulling the valve covers.

In terms of why I didn't completely assemble to engine first... well, this is how I took it out! Since I was progressively pulling the engine apart on the way out (to see if perhaps it was injured in a way that would not require pulling it), I used this approach. The approach I used ultimately leaves all the wiring in the car. If I had then taken the wiring out of the car, I might have fully assembled the motor first. Quite frankly, I like doing it this way. It will all work out!

Today I hope to put in the clutch housing, torque tube and tranny. Still waiting for one new knock sensor (which is another reason I didn't assemble the engine fully first as I could install the cooling plenum and water pump and front timing covers until I get all the knock sensors installed).

 

They were both balls on. Front and rear cam marks on all four cams.

Well, thank you all for your appreciation of the thread! It is motivating!

More progress today. A caste of interested parties came by to assist (as you can see). Driveline is completely installed. Enjoy the pics.

Tomorrow I will do pesky wiring to starter and to front of motor. My last knock sensor is in my mailbox so I can install that and install the water plenum and pump and then all the front timing covers. Then accessories. Then AC, radiators, cooling, oil. Then pause for prayer. Then turn key...

Well, I will crank the motor with no fuel pump connections and no spark plugs to get the oil fully primed and everything lubed. Then plugs, then coil packs, then upper intake and plenum. Then attempt start. I hope by next Friday it is running...


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Couple more pics from progress today.

Got the steering column all together with the new (unsticky) shrouds. Also put in my new pedals (the left two) from Ultimate Pedals. I had them custom designed. The dead pedal on the left and the wider brake pedal with the Ferrari prancing horse. Also installed the driver's seat today.

Last picture shows the install of the water plenum on the top of the engine.

I am now installing all the accessories and will soon fill the engine with oil and turn it over with no plugs and intake plenum to get it primed.
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Westwind.

Only issue is the passenger mat is not cut to OEM. It is actually a full length mat and covers up the inclined, passenger footwell area and deadpedal. Not sure if I like that or not. I will post a pic.

 

All real mechanics get up on their engines! Especially when trying manipulate those crazy wiring retainers on the rear of their V12 Ferrari heads!

Well, more progress today. Just one pic. Timing covers on. All accessories attached (including freshly rebuilt AC compressor).

Tomorrow the engine will be turned over with oil in it to prime it all. Then the upper intake goes on. Then we are going to start this pig! Thursday at the latest! I start my new job on Monday so I need to get this thing rolling!
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Yes, but if the engine explodes I will just silently go away and not post anymore...

 

And progress so far this morning...

First two shots show you how to save $500 rebuilding your two main blow-by system hose assemblies (which the brittle T elbows break on) for $8 with brass T's and 45 minutes of work.

Next shot is more stuff going on the motor...
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Partial success! I turned over the motor today and successfully achieved priming of the oil system. After a few cranking sessions of about 10 seconds each, the oil light goes off. That means the engine is primed with oil.

I've installed the plugs, coil packs and am heading back over tonight to put the upper plenum on. With any luck, it will run tonight. Otherwise tomorrow.

Keeping my fingers crossed!
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Didn't get far enough last night. So hoping for later today...

These cars are crazy in terms of how little space there is to work. I made the mistake of leaving the front serpentine belt covers off and thinking I could put them on after installing the radiator and the radiator cross-member. NOPE! On this car you couldn't even do a simple serpentine belt change without removing the front bumper, radiators, and upper cross-member. So I lost a few hours last night on some rework.

EGR's going in and will get finished up this morning. AC seems to be holding vacuum. Have a couple of O2 sensor wires and clutch position sensor wire to route and place. I will probably leave off the exhaust until after I get a successful start (so my starting video will b e real loud!).

I'm tired... but can't wait to try this puppy out!