So i will be ready to fire up the engine for the first time at the end of the week. What should be my check list to make sure i can fire her up the first try?

 

Oil pressure - prime ? Set timing, water, gas, fully charged battery,

 

How would one prime the engine?

 

Pull the distributor and drive out, insert rod into oil pump drive. Use a drill to spin oil pump. Should build pressure within minute or two....

Ters.

 

Also, on priming engine make sure you go in correct direction.. big block = counterclockwise small block = clockwise with drill and you will feel the difference when primed! Hang onto the drill. It's not too bad but you'll know. Good luck

 

I did not want to buy a Mopar priming tool so i built one out of an old distributor and distributor drive shaft. After welding the two pieces together i ground down the high spots with a table grinder. Then used a metal file and filed it smooth by hand.

 

I'll assume this is a smallblock flat tappet engine.

When you prime it is best to rotate the crank and when TDC mark gets to about 2:00 and 10:00 o'clock you should hear a squirt at the rocker shaft (valve covers off is best) continue to prime and fill rockershaft and rocker arms.

To get quick fire point rotor at #1 with harmonic balancer showing 10 - 15 degrees advanced and have timing light on and ready.

Have carb bowl full of fuel, a charged fire extinguisher is a good idea, a large fan blowing into rad or garden hose to cool down while running at 2 -2500rpm for cam break in.

An infra red temp gun if you have headers to compare exhaust temp will tell if all cylinders are firing.

A helper is the best asset to look for leaks and keep an eye on temp or pressure as you'll have your head full setting running speed and timing and listening to the engine.

 

no matter what oil you use DO use ZDDplus in the oil to protect the engine from wear. zddplus@kirbanperformance.com

 

I have 5 bottles of the stuff. I will be putting in 2 for the break in period. I am using royal purple break in oil.

 

i bought a case last year. i use this oil. Valvoline Premium Blue Diesel 15W40, it has zinc. and is the factory fill for the Dodge Cummins diesel. there are other good diesel oils. just be sure it has zinc. but 2 bottles should not be needed, 1 should be fine. but keep the RPM up around 2,000 for 10-20 minutes at start up.

 

Even the diesel oils have less zinc than previously used... an additive is a good idea !!!

 

good point Lynn. and finding that info isnt all ways easy. here in Wichita KS. the onan dealer is all so the cummins dealer. and had a good batch of tech info on the Valveoline premium blue oil. just for the taking.

 

Fired the engine up today. Primed the engine for 30 sec. Then timed the distributor for 13 BTDC. First crank and she fired right up. Took the engine up to 2500rpm for 20min. Everything ran great. Oil pressure, coolant temp everything was in perfect range. Thank you for all your help everyone.