ready to crank it up...first firing and rocker adjust ?'s

[Anonymous]

All that's left for tonight is to bolt the carb on and hook up the fuel line. What I need are some suggestions for the first firing. Anything special I need to do?

As for the rocker assemblies, I bolted the rocker arms down last night but have not yet adjusted them to the push rods. What is the RIGHT way to set the initial cold adjustment? I've read a bunch of things but I want to hear from the old guys in the field that have done this 1000 times.

Thanks guys! Hopefully she'll come roaring back to life bigger and better than ever!

 

[MustangSix]

This is a hydro cam, correct? If so, for initial startup, set lash to zero, then add 1/2 turn more on the adjustment nut. That will give you a preload of approximately .025" to start.

Double check your timing. pull the engine around to TDC on the compression stroke, set the crank to you desired initial advance setting, then look at the rotor/cap to make sure that the rotor is pointed toward #1.

Check one last time for vacuum lines. Set the idle mixture screw to about 2 turns out and look to make sure the throttle plate is not too far open.

She should fire right up.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jack! I'll let you all know how things go.

Anything else?

 

[addo]

I want you to sign in blood, that you checked the valve springs for binding this time.

As I mentioned before, you should have set the head on with the motor at TDC compression for #1. Set the preload for those two rockers. Remember that the preload starts from when you just feel the pushrod constrained as you spin between thumb and forefinger, NOT when it's stiff to turn. I would add one full turn on a Ford because adjustment is directly at the pushrod. Others that adjust at the fulcrum point, I give half a turn. It's the theory of similar triangles - very roughly.

Because this is a new motor and everything is equal, you can measure these presets and mirror them on the other rocker arms.

Check your ignition for spark, prime the carb and off you go!

 

[Anonymous]

If having done a rebore or other bottom end work I have always cranked it over without the sparks plug to make sure I've got oil pressure up and everything is acting properly before giving it spark and gas. Usually letting it turn over a couple times the first try then a little bit longer then long enough to get oil up. Leaving the plugs out puts little strain on starter and allows oil pressure to build up easily and if something is out of whack you don't have to endure that horrible feeling while reaching to shut it down. Once you are comfortable that everything is spinning freely and oil is pumping, put the plugs in and fire that bad baby up.

 

[JackFish]

While I realize this post is a couple of years old, I think the info here is as concise as it gets, and bears repeating.