First Start Up

[78 granada]

Always wondered how soon after an initial priming with a drill is best for starting..immediately? Its going to take a minute to get the distributor in and all set. Once the oil drains down anyway, is it ok to wait a day or so? Also, with the RAU adjustables I have in, the adjuster is going to be jumping around!! I hear talk of adjustment while running. Here I go obsessing again!!!! Just want it perfect. I have the timing mark rough at 10 degrees so with the rotor pointed at #1 should be good for starters. Any advice from you veterans? Oh yea, I don't find a ballast resistor on this 78 Granada 250. Would you run the old hot wire to the new DUI single wire setup? Thanks guys.

 

[powerband]

... for first start up I like a good set of oil pressure and cooling system temp gauges and attention to every reciprocating sound. I 'don't know what DUI B+ is but with the adjustable rockers and pre-oiling you should be good to fire up. I never set rockers while running - too messy, just make so you can turn PR with fingers (off cam lobes) . You probably want to re-check after a few hot cycles especially if new cam. Minor ignition or unrelated issues may now show up - think simple..

I've had first startups' show up defective distributors, stuck thermostats, repeat starter issues, leaky carbs-quickly contained fire...

have fun

 

[RichCreations]

Oh yea, I don't find a ballast resistor on this 78 Granada 250. Would you run the old hot wire to the new DUI single wire setup?

no, the pink wire is a "resistor wire" that does the same as a ballast resistor, you need to bypass said wire.

 

[78 granada]

Awesome gentlemen, thanks for your comments. I guess I'll get a relay and use the resistor wire for that. On that startup theme, my new mechanical fuel pump, lines, redline pressure regulator and new (dry) carb probably mean some slow cranking to get all the fuel up to fire! Have you ever drawn fuel through the pump and regulator with a vacuum pump prior to starting? I wouldn't want to risk damage to those components but maybe someone out there has tried it???

 

[SuperKONR]

Awesome gentlemen, thanks for your comments. I guess I'll get a relay and use the resistor wire for that. On that startup theme, my new mechanical fuel pump, lines, redline pressure regulator and new (dry) carb probably mean some slow cranking to get all the fuel up to fire! Have you ever drawn fuel through the pump and regulator with a vacuum pump prior to starting? I wouldn't want to risk damage to those components but maybe someone out there has tried it???

Prime the carb beforehand, you can fill the bowl through the vent tube with a gear lube bottle or something similar.

 

[78 granada]

Thanks superK! All I have to do is fab up my throttle cable bracket and turn the key! Getting right down to it on this "Winter' project!!

 

[rbohm]

the thing about priming the oil system isnt about the entire system though that is a side benefit. most people install a new oil pump dry, so if you were to try and start an engine with a dry oil pump, you would have a substantial amount of time before the oil pump primed itself and started push oil through the system.

when i install a new oil pump, i first take the cover off and pack the pump with vaseline. it is light, and stays in place like grease does, but it flows fairly easily so it doesnt cause nay problems. and once diluted in the oil, it never coagulates ever again.

 

[RichCreations]

the thing about priming the oil system isnt about the entire system though that is a side benefit. most people install a new oil pump dry, so if you were to try and start an engine with a dry oil pump, you would have a substantial amount of time before the oil pump primed itself and started push oil through the system.

when i install a new oil pump, i first take the cover off and pack the pump with vaseline. it is light, and stays in place like grease does, but it flows fairly easily so it doesnt cause nay problems. and once diluted in the oil, it never coagulates ever again.

Cam paste (assembly lube) would likely be better then vaseline, though i think actually priming the pump and block oil passages with oil is a lot better.

 

[rbohm]

the thing about priming the oil system isnt about the entire system though that is a side benefit. most people install a new oil pump dry, so if you were to try and start an engine with a dry oil pump, you would have a substantial amount of time before the oil pump primed itself and started push oil through the system.

when i install a new oil pump, i first take the cover off and pack the pump with vaseline. it is light, and stays in place like grease does, but it flows fairly easily so it doesnt cause nay problems. and once diluted in the oil, it never coagulates ever again.

Cam paste (assembly lube) would likely be better then vaseline, though i think actually priming the pump and block oil passages with oil is a lot better.

either way it is still about getting oil pressure up asap on a fresh start.

 

[RichCreations]

the thing about priming the oil system isnt about the entire system though that is a side benefit. most people install a new oil pump dry, so if you were to try and start an engine with a dry oil pump, you would have a substantial amount of time before the oil pump primed itself and started push oil through the system.

when i install a new oil pump, i first take the cover off and pack the pump with vaseline. it is light, and stays in place like grease does, but it flows fairly easily so it doesnt cause nay problems. and once diluted in the oil, it never coagulates ever again.

Cam paste (assembly lube) would likely be better then vaseline, though i think actually priming the pump and block oil passages with oil is a lot better.

either way it is still about getting oil pressure up asap on a fresh start.

My point is actually priming the pump/block, means not only is the pump primed, but the oil is already at the bearings, making it no worse then a normal start.

 

[DannyG]

I've primed fresh engines with a simple plastic garden sprayer. Cut the wand off the end of the hose, and install the hose end onto a barb fitting where the oil pressure sender normally goes.
Pump away, and don't forget to take into account the oil pan level (count the quarts before filling the pan, pan is empty or full already ?).
You can rotate the engine a few turns too while doing this ( distributor already in ?)
DannyG

 

[rbohm]

Cam paste (assembly lube) would likely be better then vaseline, though i think actually priming the pump and block oil passages with oil is a lot better.

either way it is still about getting oil pressure up asap on a fresh start.[/quote]

My point is actually priming the pump/block, means not only is the pump primed, but the oil is already at the bearings, making it no worse then a normal start.[/quote]

if you used a good assembly lube when building the engine, then the bearings are already lubed up for the first start. packing the oil pump with vasoline is an old engine builders trick.

 

[bubba22349]

Old engine builder / mechanic trick, yes exactly