Engine first start- last few questions
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
Engine first start- last few questions
I'm just about ready to fire up my new 383. I'm about to jump out of my skin I'm so excited. Before I start it up, I need to make sure I've got her all sealed up. I've got new oil pressure sending unit and I hear there are two places for it to go, just above the oil filter and next to the distributor. Neither has a plug in it, it doesn't fit above the distributor and the hole next to the distributor has sealant from the intake gasket covering some of it. This engine was dyno'd, why isn't this clear or sealed?
I also have two holes in the heads for coolant I'm pretty sure. The engine is a 4 bolt block with gen 2 heads on it. I think they're 1/2" holes, one for the the temperature sensor and another to be plugged. Autozone doesn't have the temp sensor so I'll plug it for initial run until I can get mine from ecklers. Anything else I should be concerned with?
I also have two holes in the heads for coolant I'm pretty sure. The engine is a 4 bolt block with gen 2 heads on it. I think they're 1/2" holes, one for the the temperature sensor and another to be plugged. Autozone doesn't have the temp sensor so I'll plug it for initial run until I can get mine from ecklers. Anything else I should be concerned with?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 291
Likes: 6
From: Delray Beach FL
I would not be starting an new engine without a temp gauge. What year vette is it? the old pressure gauge should be hooked up behind the dist. I don't understand what you mine it covered with silicon. There would have to be a plug in it.
Take the time and do it right. After all the time and money you put in why run the risk of screwing it up
Take the time and do it right. After all the time and money you put in why run the risk of screwing it up
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
If I'm looking at the right hole, it's right next to the distributor toward the driver's side pointing up. There is some sealant from the intake gasket covering the hole, but not entirely.
Don't worry, if I get it all sealed up and ready to go, I will start her, but just for a few seconds. I'm not planning on letting her run without a coolant sensor for very long.
Don't worry, if I get it all sealed up and ready to go, I will start her, but just for a few seconds. I'm not planning on letting her run without a coolant sensor for very long.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I would not be starting an new engine without a temp gauge. What year vette is it? the old pressure gauge should be hooked up behind the dist. I don't understand what you mine it covered with silicon. There would have to be a plug in it.
Take the time and do it right. After all the time and money you put in why run the risk of screwing it up
Take the time and do it right. After all the time and money you put in why run the risk of screwing it up
Don't fire it unyil you get the oil pressure and Temp guage hooked up. If you have a flat tappet cam you need to start it and run the cam in for 20 minutes @ 2000 RPM. Doing otherwise can wipe a cam lobe. Then it is do over time.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
It's a 74. The engine is a 383 roller. It's one of the AR Racing long blocks. I've got a few more parts I need I'll get tomorrow morning and she'll be running. I got the pressure sending unit hooked up and the temperature sensor as well and got the extra hole plugged up.
I do have a question though. I bought a single wire temperature sensor, the wire that was in the same loom as the alternator is green and puts out 12.5v on accessory. My haynes says that the typical coolant temp is a green one wire. The problem lies that I found the old temp switch and it's a two wire. I also found a two wire plug, but if I need the two wire, what's the green wire for?
I do have a question though. I bought a single wire temperature sensor, the wire that was in the same loom as the alternator is green and puts out 12.5v on accessory. My haynes says that the typical coolant temp is a green one wire. The problem lies that I found the old temp switch and it's a two wire. I also found a two wire plug, but if I need the two wire, what's the green wire for?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
I'm also having trouble getting the trans dip stick to seat down into the trans... Any ideas? I used fluid to lubricate it, but it seems that the engine gets in the way of aligning it correctly to drop down. It'll budge, but barely past the o-ring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,506
Likes: 139
From: Butler Pa
I agree about the guages, but if the engine was dyno'd, the cam should already be broken in.
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