Its been nearly two years since I pulled the engine out of my 1990. I was finally able to find a replacement - a crate engine with around 20k miles. I changed out the cam with a ZZ9, the lifters, and installed my intake, heads, and oilpan along with my old oil pump.

Can anyone tell me what else I should install on the engine before lowering it into place and bolting it back to my transmission?

I am planning on installing the exhaust manifolds and finding TDC and marking where the distrubutor will need to be. I am also thinking I should install my waterpump. Is there anything else I should bolt on first? I think I want to wait on all the brackets because all my 1990 parts are mixed up with parts from a 1987 parts engine and I think it will be easier to figure out which brackets are right if I can start with bolting on my PS pump.

Also, my 1990 ac compressor was bad and I don't have any freon for it. Would it be better to use the AC stuff from the 87 (if it works with my wiring), or wait until I can afford a new compressor? Or possibly even upgrade to a more modern setup?

I'm out of money and trying to get this going without too many "might as wells" I'm already cringing for using my old oil pump and want to change it out as soon as I can afford it, hopefully this winter. Wondering if there is anything else I should replace. I'm planning on using old thermostat, plugs and wires, injectors and belt. Wondering if I need to replace all the O-Rings in my fuel rail and injectors or try to get by with my originals (plan on using my 87 injectors).

Also it would be a huge help if someone with a 1990 could take a dozen or two pics from a few different angles, take a couple of pics, sidestep and repeat.

I lost all my original reference photos and I'm not sure which exaust manifolds are mine and which are from the 87, one them looks to have an extra port, which I'm thinking is from my 1990 and is emissions related.
Oh yeah and I have a huge starter from my 1990 and a small one from the 87, which is the better one to use on my 1990?

 

Leave dist out.Allows you to tilt engine back further so you can get to top bellhousing bolts.
Removing the wiper motor saves you breaking the plastic cover if the engine swings

Use the smaller '90 starter
L98 exh manifolds should be the same ; pass side has riser to connect to the intake manifold
PS bracket is the same.
No mistaking the compressor bracket for other side because they are completely different design on account of the different compressors used