Got some stuff done on the car but didn't have time to post about it so here it all is. Tested out the fuel pump with water and it seemed to work fine. Didn't see any sparking on the solder joints, and no leaking from the fuel line from the pump to the top of the basket. I may need to change the tube out for a longer one if I cant compress it down into the tank but i'll figure that out when I go to install it. My FCP order came in today so I got the oil pan back on with the oil pump chain installed this time. The VW manual calls for 8NM + 45 degrees. One of the bolts stripped out some of the threads on the 45 degrees and I felt another starting to go during the turn. I left the one that started to go as it was and was able to get a bolt into the one that stripped and tightened it as much as I felt comfortable. I'm hoping with the sealant and all the other bolts it will hold, but i'll definitely be monitoring it closely once it's running.
I also got a new sleeve for the exhaust balance shaft and it slid right in which was a relief since I couldn't get it in beforehand.
Started to time it up but I need some more bolts to hold the guide rails in so here it is as it sits now. I'm hoping they come in friday since i'm leaving saturday for 2 weeks, but I don't think they will since FCP didn't have them so I had to order from DAP.
My OSIR gauge pod came in for my oil pressure and temp gauges, it allegedly gets held in place by friction, but does have the option to screw it into the plastic above, which i'll do since I don't want it popping out if I hit a hard bump on the track. Going to work on getting the wires run friday if the timing parts don't come in time. The gauges are tinted and have a protective screen on here, but once they are lit up and the screen is off they'll be easier to see.