nothing is supposed to go in from the inside of the case, there is however the anti-drainback valve just on the other side of one of those holes. Should pull it out and make sure it moves freely and isn't torn up.
I didn't take it out and it ended up binding when I was priming my fresh engine. It didn't allow oil to get to the motor so i had the pleasure of rebuilding it a second time. Just put some oil in the crankcase when your assembling it too so everything has lube.

 

Thanks, pulled the valve out and it's clean, I'll double check the tip on it. Once I get the case back together how much oil do you recommend adding? How much to tank?

 

bout a cup, the rest of your two quarts go into the oil tank. then just prime as usual

 

Thanks again!! I may put the case back together tomorrow evening, I was surprised the cylinder only needs honed considering it's an 02 model but it had been well serviced,lucky it never started after the mud got in it, new std rings on order from the local dealer, not sure about the valve/head condition yet. Ordered a Athena full gasket set, I hope the quality of this set is pretty good especially the head gasket, most aftermarket sets I've used have been trouble free

 

Athena,Cometic,Vesrah are all pretty good aftermarket gasket kits that I've used before with no problems.

 

As far a priming the oil pump,should I use the same procedure as if I'd removed the oil lines, pinching the oil tank vent.....

 

Yes..Just clamp the tank vent line with vice grips close to the tank fitting(so you miss the slit in the vent tube),let it run a minute or so,kill it,release the vice grips. May or may not hear an air hiss but the oil pump will be primed.

 

Thanks a bunch!

 

You guys have been super helpful and I really appreciate it!! I've got another question, the two oil pump gear mounting bolts,any idea of the torque specs or if I should use any thread locker? The oil pump mounting bolts is 6 ft/lbs according to my Polaris book but no mention of these.

 

On any application that doesn't show torque specs,just look at the general info page towards the top of the manual that shows standard toque specs. 6mm bolts show to torque between 72-78 inch pounds.Yes I'd use medium(blue) thread locker.