Finally got everything done enough to start the 406 this morning. Had the usual challenges. The battery was low and needed charging. The distributor was 180 degrees out. A minor water leak at the thermostat housing. Nothing all that hard to fix. It then started right up.



It had some trouble running continuously at first, possibly because the choke isn't hooked up (bent rod that needs to be replaced) but once it warmed up, it ran nicely at 2000 RPM which is needed for the cam break in. VERY loud. One of the collectors is just loosely connected to the rear exhaust and the leak is substantial, both in exhaust and noise.

After between 5 and 10 minutes running, the smoke on te passenger side was starting to get bad enough that I was getting concerned, so I stopped the engine and let it cool down. Turns out that I have an oil leak. I believe that the rear main seal is leaking and because I didn't have the torque converter cover on, it was spraying oil on to the passenger side header collector. Not to surprising that there was smoke.

Also, while I was fishing around for the oil leak, I got a couple of electrical arcs. Now the ignition is dead. Looks like I'll have to bond with the fuse box again. The wiring on this car is terrible and will need to be redone, but I was kind of hoping to drive it for a while first.

Though it was great to finally get it running, I must say that I'm a little down now. The electrical is annoying enough but at least I expected to have to redo it. If I have to pull the engine out again to redo the rear seal, I won't be at all pleased.

At least the carb ran perfectly. Thanks Lars.

 

Way to go. I finished the stand break in on my 396 today, so it's back to the engine stand for a re-torque & to cure the oil leak I found coming from the intake, looks like I didn't put a big enough bead of liquid gasket on it.

 

Sounds like you'll have her driving around in no time. I got my 383 started this weekend too. Couldn't keep it going though. Looks like I need an electric fuel pump. I should be rolling again on Tuesday though. Can't wait to see more pics!
-CR

 

Sounds like a good weekend to start new motors. Congrats to both of you

I suppose that we should expect these small issues to pop up, but I for one could do without them. I just wanted to break in the cam, change the oil and drive around like an idiot.

 

CA-Legal, HAHA I hear that! I wanted to drive around like an idiot so badly. Finally a rain-free few days here and I just ran out of time before the shop closed. So how did your 406 sound? Probably mean as hell! My 383 doesn't sound anything at all like the 350 used to. When she finally caught and started it scared the crap out of me. Keep plugging away. The devil is in the details. I had all of my parts, except for a few loose odds and ends and I planned on a two week install. Well here we are a month later and still no dice. We'll get there bro!
-CR

 

It's always something
When I first fired up my 383, it knocked found out the torque converter bolt heads were hitting something (possibly the starter snout?) found this out after I had the oil pan off....twice.
Then the set screw under the rear driver side head leaked oil, so the head had to come back off at least nothing internal broke....

You shouldn't have to pull the motor to get to the rear main, just drop the steering linkage at the idler arm, easy access to the oil pan from there

 

Assuming it's the bottom seal.. You're right though. After calming down for the rest of the day and repairing broken sprinkler lines, I think that I need to deal with the electrical first, then finish breaking in the cam. I'll then drain the oil and pull the pan and go from there.

It was loud. I sure don't remember the 350 that was in there being anywhere near as loud. Should be very impresive when I get the side pipes mounted.

I know that I just need to keep plugging away but after waiting so long and being so patient until now, I suppose I didn't have any left. I just needed a beer and some time to think it through.

What do you have left to do on yours?

 

I'll bet it was loud! For the brief time my 383 ran it was loud too. That's with the sidepipes and STS baffles in. Much louder than the 350. Although the 350 was only firing on 7 cylinders and 7 out of 8 intake valves leaked, I certainly didn't expect it to scare me like it did! The only thing I have left is to swap the mechanical pump for an electric one. I'll have to call T&L tomorrow to make sure my cam isn't set-up for a mech. pump but other than that I should be rolling Tuesday. I do all my work at the auto hobby shop on the Navy base where I work. Too bad they are only open Tues. through Sat. I'll get the pump and parts at a local speed shop tomorrow and hopefully be rolling again by the time the shop closes on Tues! I'll be sure to post pics and videos too.
-CR

 

It's alive!