I'm wrapping up my big block project! I got my passenger's side header on. I tried putting the reverse flow mufflers back in the side tubes but could not get them to go in. The inside of the side tubes and the outside of the mufflers were slightly rusty. I scraped the rust off of the mufflers but I still couldn't get them to go in. I said screw it and just bolted up the side tubes and will be breaking it in on open headers. The side tubes are bolted up. The spark plugs are in and the plug wires are cut and fit. I bent the dipstick and put it in the oil pan. I added the 7 quarts of oil (6 in the pan, 1 in the filter). I attached all of my radiator hoses except the upper hose (I purchased all new radiator and heater hoses). I've got all my vacuum lines hooked up. I attached all the wires to the starter. The car is now sitting on the ground! I took the jackstands and ramps out from under it. It's weird to see it sitting on the ground again :)

I still have to bolt on the pulleys and belts, hook up my fuel line, fill up the radiator with water, check the pressure in the tires, check the torque on the lug nuts and I'm pretty much done. I need to lengthen the wire that goes to the oil sending unit. I'm shooting to fire it up this Friday or Saturday :cheers:.

I'm scared though, I get the feeling it's not going to work (I don't know why, but I've always had a pessimistic outlook on life :) ). It's probably going to startle the neighbors *if* it fires up. Wish me luck, I couldn't have done it without you guys.

 

How's the front end ride height?

Don't worry, it'll work. :D

 

Chris:
To be honest, I can't see a difference in the front end height. If there is a difference it is rather minimal. I'm probably going to give all the bolts a "once over" to make sure I didn't miss any :). She sure looks mean with the big block bolted in there.

 

Good luck Shane. I won't be at work again till Monday but will look for your post. I always get nervous firing up a new engine, going over in my mind if I did everything right.
I don't like the open header idea, can't hear any problems in the motor.
Anyway good luck and post how it ran.
Norval

 

Try to get some kind of temporary mufflers on there for the fire up. It'll be so loud without them that you may miss some important sounds that you would want to hear.

I'm not expecting trouble, but it would be good to hear bad noises before they become nasty.

 

Bence,

This is good news!!! I would get a fire extinguisher ready and prime up the oil pressure before starting.

Also, get your dad out there and take more pictures right away!! We are all anxious to see it!!

I am picking up my motor today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck!!

Bob :cheers:

 

Ditto on the fire extinguisher! I installed a different carb on my 79 once and in backfired and started a small fire in the carbs throat. Blowing it out didn't work so I threw the only rag I had over it (oily rag :rolleyes:) Can't ever be too safe!

 

Bob:
I already thought about the fire extinguisher and will be purchasing one before start up. As far as priming the engine goes, I'm just going to take the coil wire off of the distributor and crank the engine over until I get a good amount of oil from the rocker arm squirters. I can't wait to hear the roar of the big block. Hopefully it will run for me.

 

[QUOTE I can't wait to hear the roar of the big block. Hopefully it will run for me.[/QUOTE]

You won't be able to hear it because you'll be deaf from those open headers!

 

Shane

Buy an oil pump primer. They cheaper than a rebuild. Just hook it up to a drill and pump it up. I takes a while (10 minutes or so) to get the oil all the way to the rockers so using the engine to do it isn't a good idea in my mind.

Good luck! and enjoy

 

I agree with FEVRE. I wouldn't want to just grind away on the starter to prime the oiling system. Motors that don't start right away and take too much turning over the first time wipe out cams. I would definitely prime it but if that is not possible just start it. You did use assembly lube? on the bearings so it will take care of the short time running without oil.
Don't just grind away waiting for the rockers to show oil. Prime or start.

 

I don't have any expertise to add Bence, but I've been following you're project. Sounds good, I'm keeping everything crossed for you! Good Luck :cheers:

 

Norval:
Yes, I used assembly lube on the cam, lifters, rod bearings, main bearings, rocker arms and wrist pins. I guess I'll just start it up then and not prime it. I'm gonna put the finishing touches on the engine tonight and hopefully I'll be able to fire it up on Friday or Saturday.

 

We won't sleep until we hear that it is running OK :chevy

 

One more try

Primers are less then $10 and only take 10 minutes or so to do. If you have any problems getting it started you might damage your cam or something else. Hate to see you waste all that time, effort and $ cuz of $10 and 10 minutes. :(

 

I think Corvettes like Big Blocks better, so it should fire-up on the first try ! :D

Great deal, Shane - way to go.... I'll be listening for that 'deep' rumble & the shaking of the earth. (your neighbors might think it's an earthquake in PA) :lol:

 

I'm with Fevre, get an oil pump primer first and get oil pressure that way first, you have too much time and money in that engine to take the chance of not using one, this insure you will have oil pressure immediately upon engine start rather then possibly having to wait a second or two for all the oil cavities to fill causing damage that could have been easily avoided.

Best of Luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy the new BB
:cheers:
Pat Kunz

 

I thought I would also jump on the "oil pump primer" wagon as well.
It's great insurance.

Also, I like to pre set the timing before starting.
This method has worked great.
Set the engine timing mark (balancer) about the 8 degree mark on the tab (compression stroke on #1).

Then with the key on and a spark plug connected to #1 wire (with plug grounded) rotate the distributor counter clockwise then clockwise about an inch or so. Do this method until the plug shows a spark.

By keeping the counter clockwise/clockwise stroke to less than an inch, and still get a spark, your timing will be close enough to start.

To be ideal, the rotation should be counter clockwise, and stop as soon as you see the spark.

Reason for setting the timing with this method is to get it close, makes starting easy, and also avoid excessive engine cranking on the starter, trying to set the timing before the initial start.
Good luck

 

Good Luck Bence. I know what you mean when you say you're a little apprehensive about starting her up.. I have a long way to go but already worry about that day! What type of oil did you settle on for break-in?

Fevre & Barry---To prime the oil pump, wouldn't the distributor need to be removed? Is the oil primer simply a rod that connects the oil pump to a drill?

 

bence- consider yourself lucky you got them out of the side tubes at all, it took me 3 days of pounding, a couple cans of WD-40, a couple quarts of used oil and a propane torch to get mine out. Seriously consider the STS baffles, they sound SO good! They are way better than those junk Hooker mufflers and getting them in/out is no problem. Good luck with the startup, I'm betting you'll have a grin for days.