Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

[Patrick N.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

thanks for your posts, there are some great links to other threads.

Something that I was looking over just now, what do I do for my heater hoses? Do I plumb it to the heater core and prop it somewhere or can I cap off the inlet and outlet?

thanks,
Pat

[Ronald L.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

Pat, if you don't want to do that, loop the hose, use an adapter probably made from copper pipe from the small to larger size, use regular hose clamps and make sure they are on tight.

[Michael H.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

And finally, always make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy.

[Patrick N.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

And finally, always make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy.

Right! Best advice of all!

Joe R: I have the doc that cam with the cam and the doc's form tthe engine builder that I plan on using. I have a comp cam installed, I might have selected a different cam after reading some past threads about prefered cams guys are using.

It is interesting that "putting oil in the trans" has been the most consistent thing I have heard during the rebuild from many. I agree, It goes to show that some of the most common overlooked things can easily be the things that should be the most obvious.

I will be busy this weekend getting things ready. Hope to fire up soon- feel like a kid at Christmas!

Thanks all

[John H.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

Patrick -

It will pay to have a box fan set up in front of the radiator if this is indeed the engine's "first-fire"; you don't want to interrupt that important first 20-25 minutes of 2000-2500 rpm cam break-in run time due to overheating.

[Jack H.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

No, the engine was test fired and initially run-in on a hot engine test stand at the engine factory (either Flint or Tonawanda). So, it arrived in St. Louis at the final assy line as a fully tested sub-assy.

But, certain 'bolt-on' components (e.g. starter, carb, fuel pump, Etc.) didn't come with the engine as they weren't needed/used at the hot engine test stand. These components met up with the engine in St. Louis.

[John H.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

Does the AIM have a reference for starting, tuning and verifying the engine is operating within specs?

Patrick -

There's nothing in the AIM that describes that procedure; it was detailed in plant-produced inspection process documents that weren't published outside of GM.

The engine was started just before the end of the Final Line, and the car was then driven through the Roll-Test and Toe-In procedure to verify correct mechanical operation before proceeding through Water Test and Paint Repair on the way to the Final Trim Line, where the interior was installed, followed by Final Inspection and Shipment.

[Richard M.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

John, Curiously.......what did they sit on when driving to the Trim Line?

Rich

[Joe R.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

John, Curiously.......what did they sit on when driving to the Trim Line?

Rich

Rich,

I read in the Noland Adams book that the driver sat on a stool!

Joe

[Richard M.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

Rich,

I read in the Noland Adams book that the driver sat on a stool!

Joe

That seems scary. Maybe ok on a PG car, but it's pretty tricky on a manual transmission. I had the interior out on the '67 recently. Under power, I had to pull on the steering wheel when applying the clutch to move it around. I was using my plastic tool box for a seat. I didn't like that feeling.

Rich

[Paul J.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

A even better approach is to simply use a distributor shaft adapter and electric drill as suggested above to prime the pump and fill the galleries and bearings (i.e. build oil pressure) just prior to start. I'm not sure that preventing the engine from firing while cranking really lessens the concern about lack of lubrication during early cranking.

Assembly lube will probably prevent damage from "dry" cranking, but my preference would be to spend a few bucks for the adapter and know that the bearings will have a good oil film the instant cranking begins...one anxiety gone.

We use this. It works fine, and cost $0. Just attach a drill to it.

[John H.]

Re: Advice for starting the engine for the 1st time?

John, Curiously.......what did they sit on when driving to the Trim Line?

Rich

Rich -

They made up some temporary drop-in very simple seats with pins on the runners that stuck through the holes in the floor for the seat track bolts; similar concept to the (much later) photo below.