This is the Weekend!

[golf4283]

Ok so I think the time has finally come to start the car. It's been 5 years since I started my restoration and I've learned so much about this car. Granted not all is complete and I still need to do the brakes but that engine is just begging to be turned.

I have a roller 302 stock for now with an edelbrock dual plane intake and Holley 600FCM carb. Heddman headers open right now so it will be loud. All of this is mated to a T-5 with Mustang Steve Cable Clutch.

I guess my question is what should I do to prep the car before attempting to start? I think I did everything right but you never know and I don't want this thing to blow up. I was thinking of no gas in the car and cranking it before I introduce any gas into the lines.

I have braided stainless lines that I just installed with all the fittings and an electric pump cuase the engine has no provision for mechanical. Is it bad for the pump to not flow any liquid?

Any other tips you guys have before I start I guess maybe some sort of checklist. Thanks!

-Dan

 

[geordie]

Investigate priming the oil system.
I'm some way off st rting my engine yet, but have bought a shaft which allows me to run the oil pump using a electric drill by removing the distributor and inserting the drill and shaft.
Plenty of lubrication is crucial, especially important if the engine has sat for some time.
Good luck.
Mustangs and Fords, April 2005 ran an article on preventing engine failure, it may be available on line.

 

[2nd Mustang]

I once bought a 302 out of a junkyard that was all intact, just dirty. Not knowing how long it sat and not having anything to prime the engine with, I drained and filled the oil, shot some oil down each cylinder via the spark plug holes and hand cranked the engine via the crankshaft pulley. It sounded and felt okay so then proceeded to motor over the engine with the starter with the coil wire pulled. I then static timed the distributor, hooked up the coil wire and wouldn't you know it, first crank with gas and electric power it fired right up!

That was in my poor days. There is so much more information now that it would be wise to follow any good ideas people may have.

 

[jlangholzj]

easy way to prime the system is to junk an old distributor. Take the gear off of the bottom, and take all the junk off the top. Then you should be able to grab ahold of it with a drill and prime the system.

 

[phutch11]

Easiset way is to go to autozone and use their loaner tool. 25 buck deposit that you get back.

Definitely prime it first for a long, long time. Seriously at least five minutes.

Check and recheck that the dizzy is installed correctly so you don't get a backfire.

Put gas in the tank and power up the FP pump to make sure your fuel system doesn't have any leaks.

Then fire that bitch up!

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Steve S]

Fire that bitch up ...... yeah, i like that,

All the other advice above is good ...

make sure you have an oil presure gauge hooked up so you can shut it down if you are lacking in presure.

Steve

 

[jlangholzj]

Fire that bitch up ...... yeah, i like that,

All the other advice above is good ...

make sure you have an oil presure gauge hooked up so you can shut it down if you are lacking in presure.

Steve

yup, good advice,

we had a oil pressure and a temp gauge hooked up to the 350 when we started it.....both mechanicals that we just laying around the shop...and they were clamped to the frame.....but it got the job done

 

[geordie]

Well Golf 4283, how did you get on?

 

[golf4283]

haha well after numerous electircal problems I came to the realization that a 40+ year old wiring harness can't get the job done. Car never started and is now without any wiring.

My Painless 20120 kit is on the way though and free shipping and a 50 dollar rebate help with that as well.

I was trying to get it to work and then realized it was only a band-aid and not a real fix so the wiring came out and now onto bigger and better things haha. I swear this car is one thing after the other.

 

[10secgoal]

Just prime it with the valve covers off and make sure all the rockers get oil. No need to do it more than that.