I started my engine in my 1966 coupe yesterday for the first time. Everything went pretty well.
I started by priming the oil pump. Then I static timed the engine. At first, the engine wouldn't start. It was just cranking. I think it took a while for the fuel from the tank to reach the carb. Then all of a sudden it roared to life! I reved it a little bit, then I let it it run at about 1800 rpm for 20 minutes to break in the camshaft.
It sounded really good and LOUD going through dual 40 series mufflers. I must have got the timing really close because I didn't hear it miss or stumble at all. Even when I was finished and I let it idle for a second, it was very smooth. I am still going to check the timing with a timing light though.
One thing that concerned me though was that the lower parts of the headers (where they connect to the exhaust pipes) were glowing red hot. I have not had the exhaust system installed professionally yet. I temporarily rigged the whole thing together with adapters and clamps.
Another thing that happened was the heater core started smoking so I turned on the blower motor full blast to clear the smoke. The water temp and oil pressure stayed normal. It did heat up a little, so I doused the radiator with water. If I remember correctly the cooling system takes about 14 or 15 liters of coolant. I only had about 10 liters in there because the radiator was already full.
Also, on another note, I tried shifting the transmission to move the car, but it wouldn't shift into gear (drive or reverse). I could physically move the shifter lever, but the car itself would not move. So I had to put the trans in neutral so I could push it. Would this have anything to do with the vacuum modulator valve? Because I think the hose is kinked.
I would like to thank everyone here at Stangnet for helping me get this thing started! Thank You!!!
Carl
I started by priming the oil pump. Then I static timed the engine. At first, the engine wouldn't start. It was just cranking. I think it took a while for the fuel from the tank to reach the carb. Then all of a sudden it roared to life! I reved it a little bit, then I let it it run at about 1800 rpm for 20 minutes to break in the camshaft.
It sounded really good and LOUD going through dual 40 series mufflers. I must have got the timing really close because I didn't hear it miss or stumble at all. Even when I was finished and I let it idle for a second, it was very smooth. I am still going to check the timing with a timing light though.
One thing that concerned me though was that the lower parts of the headers (where they connect to the exhaust pipes) were glowing red hot. I have not had the exhaust system installed professionally yet. I temporarily rigged the whole thing together with adapters and clamps.
Another thing that happened was the heater core started smoking so I turned on the blower motor full blast to clear the smoke. The water temp and oil pressure stayed normal. It did heat up a little, so I doused the radiator with water. If I remember correctly the cooling system takes about 14 or 15 liters of coolant. I only had about 10 liters in there because the radiator was already full.
Also, on another note, I tried shifting the transmission to move the car, but it wouldn't shift into gear (drive or reverse). I could physically move the shifter lever, but the car itself would not move. So I had to put the trans in neutral so I could push it. Would this have anything to do with the vacuum modulator valve? Because I think the hose is kinked.
I would like to thank everyone here at Stangnet for helping me get this thing started! Thank You!!!
Carl
