Well this being my new favorite site to visit I've finally decided to step up from just spectating and actually post something.
I am preparing to embark on a somewhat major overhaul on my motor due to some issues that have developed in the past few months and just wanted to have some input on anything I may have overlooked and a few concerns I have.
This is a somewhat unique job considering the motor is only 5000 miles new, after a seize a year ago I swapped a fresh 1.6 hydro TD long block but without the turbo (greater strength and cylinder squirters!) . I have had a terrible mystery oil leak (1 qt or so each day I drive it). After replacing the cam seal, crank seal, oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, and front block off plate I am at a loss, thus I will be replacing all the seals/gaskets on the motor. On top of the leak is a valve knock/tap that has been increasingly getting worse. The final issue is bad smoking, the IP is rather old as are the injectors but no matter how precise I am with timing I cannot seem to get the smoking to cease, and its bad.
I am pulling the head off to inspect valves/lifters/cam and replace any necessary seals/gaskets related. I also plan to add ARP Head Studs (251-4701, someone confirm that please) and an AAZ metal gasket (any modifications needed?).
While the head is off I will be porting and polishing the manifolds and head, does anyone who has done this have any warnings as to clearances with coolant passages and such?
Plugging the oil drain, I've seen this on countless threads but am unsure as to its necessity on a hydro head, clarification?
Re-ringing, should I do this while I am in there, perhaps the cause of the smoking?
Thanks for the advice ahead of time, I'll be posting pics as soon as I pop the hood in the morning.
Edit: Any recommended sites for the AAZ gasket as I've been having trouble locating on US sites.

