Start the engine on the frame?

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Dec 12, 2001 | 04:13 PM

tzavaleta

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 267

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From: Austin TX

Start the engine on the frame?

I've got the body off and the (new) engine and tranny on the frame. I considering doing the break-in with the body off. But i'm not sure as to what it will require.

1. Exhaust (headers)
2. Alternator
3. Battery (power to starter? what kind of lead to distributor?)
4. Remote starter switch
5. Radiator/water
6. Fuel (tanks on frame so no problem)

Anything else i'm missing? How would i wire the battery in? I don't want to destroy anything. Does anyone see a problem with this proposal?

Dec 12, 2001 | 04:19 PM

john's '81 mouse

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 1,183

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From: Des Moines Iowa

Re: Start the engine on the frame? (tzavaleta)

Engine temp gauge and oil pressure gauge?

Are you going to guess engine rpms? New flat tappet cam should require 20 plus minutes of 2,000 plus rpm operation as well.

Make sure engine doesn't overheat during this process if you don't have fan shroud installed, have heard of some running cold water into radiator during this breakin period to avoid overheating issues.

Dec 12, 2001 | 04:22 PM

tzavaleta

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 267

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From: Austin TX

Re: Start the engine on the frame? (john's '81 mouse)

Good point. I guess i could spring for some cheapie mechanical gauges to watch the temp/pressure. Plus I could guestimate a >2000 RPM (since it's a greather then) during the break-in period.

Dec 12, 2001 | 04:25 PM

daniel77350

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2001

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From: North Carolina

Re: Start the engine on the frame? (tzavaleta)

I have a guess that looks like a volt meter, it plugs into the distributor and tells you RPM's...I use it to set idle(since I cannot trust the one in the car, its off exponentially)

daniel

Dec 12, 2001 | 04:53 PM

tzavaleta

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 267

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From: Austin TX

Re: Start the engine on the frame? (daniel77350)

But a '74 is still a mechanical drive Tach. :)

Dec 12, 2001 | 05:33 PM

Budman68

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2000

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From: DFW TX

Cruise-In VII Veteran

St. Jude Donor '07

Re: Start the engine on the frame? (tzavaleta)

A big fan is handy to keep things cool. You could buy one of those cheapo guage packs for $20 bucks to monitor temp/oil/alt. Also its good to rund rich on break in.
Budman

Dec 12, 2001 | 05:51 PM

71vettman

Racer

Joined: May 1999

Posts: 268

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From: CT

Re: Start the engine on the frame? (tzavaleta)

I used a set of cheepo guages and a tack as well when I started mine without the body on. I used a cheep 6 volt car battery for the coil and a seperate 12 volt for the starter. For break in its not necessary to run an altenator either as long as the battery has a good charge. As far as cooling goes I filled the radator and ran hose water over the outside of the radatior to keep it cool enough.
Also make sure the tranny is in neutral. Its an easy thing to forget

[Modified by 71vettman, 3:53 PM 12/12/2001]

Dec 12, 2001 | 11:34 PM

CF6873

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 2,107

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From: Lancaster PA

Re: Start the engine on the frame? (71vettman)

You will definetly want to have a temp guage and an oil pressure guage. You can also get an inexpensive tach/dwell meter for checking r's during break in. I used two battery cables and connected one to the starter and one to ground. I also attached metal bars between the cables and the battery to have a place to attach the alligator clips from the remote starter switch, the timing light and the jumper wire to the coil. This worked out well. To shut off the engine, I just pulled off the jumper to the coil. I used a large window fan on high speed and layed it on the radiator, this way I could get the engine up to temp. Did not use the alternator. Good Luck ,Craig