Spring's first start up...procedure

[Rocco S.]

Re: Spring's first start up...procedure

Just want to add something else to think about. If your car is fitted with K66 Transistor Ignition you may cause damage to the circuit board when disconnecting the coil wire and cranking just to build up oil pressure. I believe the service manual specifically talks about not doing this. Maybe others can confirm this.

On my '67 L79 w/K66, the carburetor bowl evaporates when sitting for more than a week. I just crank until the bowl is full which takes about 30 seconds. In that time oil pressure builds and the bowl fills. Then one or two pumps on the accelerator sets the choke and squirts enough fuel to fire the engine.

Rocco S.

[John D.]

Re: Spring's first start up...procedure

If you left ethanol in your tank since the fall good luck.

Tip if you have a '57-'65 fuel car that has Ethanol fuel. Remove the drive cable assembly. That's the housing,cable and big nut (round or hex)
Then take the drive cable and put it in the hi-pressure pump. See if the pump will turn by hand (clockwise) If not stop and have that issue solved.
The drive cable acts as a "fuse" ( my wording) If you fail to see if the pump will turn easily and just go and try and start the engine up good bye expensive drive cable.
Now is the time to put fresh lubricate on the cable.
I tell owners to user Disc brake wheel bearing grease. "Any brand will do" ala Duke.
Of use a better lubricant.

[William F.]

Re: Spring's first start up...procedure

Does the "cranking it over before actually starting" actually force enough oil onto bearings to count? When first start of a rebuilt engine or one in which a cam has just been installed, it's always recommended to make sure engine fires with first turn of key and bring rpm's up above idle to ensure proper lubrication. But of course, assembly lube has been poured over cam lobe and lifters during assembly.

[Patrick B.]

Re: Spring's first start up...procedure

Just want to add something else to think about. If your car is fitted with K66 Transistor Ignition you may cause damage to the circuit board when disconnecting the coil wire and cranking just to build up oil pressure. I believe the service manual specifically talks about not doing this. Maybe others can confirm this.

On my '67 L79 w/K66, the carburetor bowl evaporates when sitting for more than a week. I just crank until the bowl is full which takes about 30 seconds. In that time oil pressure builds and the bowl fills. Then one or two pumps on the accelerator sets the choke and squirts enough fuel to fire the engine.

Rocco S.

With TI ignition, it is best to pull the coil wire from the distributor cap and ground it with an alligator clip when cranking the engine just to build oil pressure.

[David K.]

Re: Spring's first start up...procedure

Just to let you all know...........I turned over the engine today for the first time since October, pumped the gas a couple of times and cranked, and it fired up in under 10 seconds. All good. God bless the General.