before I start a rebuilt engine.... what to do?

[sammyvelvet]

Ok I have the 351 block done .. now Im bolting on the rest of it, its all painted and looking good but before I attach it to the transmission and drop it into the Rancherita.... what are the things I need to do before I hook it up and start it?.. I was told that I need to prime the oil pump and the rest of the engine by getting a drill and turning the oil pump untill I get oil up to the heads... is that correct?.... and how is this done?... Sammy

[TINGLER]

Go ahead and put it in the car and get EVERYTHING set up to start the engine up.
On my 289 For my Fairlane, I simply put the distributor in last. Before I dropped the dizzy in I fashioned a simple tool that would fit down the hole and onto the oil pump drive shaft. Make sure the drive shaft will stay in the oil pump without coming out. I had to take my oil pan back off to get my fallen drive shaft.....avoid this.
Anyhow the tool I made was a tube that fit over the hex drive shaft. It was about maybe 9" to a foot long. I crimped one end to catch the hex drive and the other end went in to the drill chuck.
Put it to the drive shaft and spin some low rpms in the correct direction (clockwise or counterclockwise). I left my valve covers off the first time I did it in order to SEE if the oil was pumping up, and to make sure there were no blockages. Obviously you want to have the valve covers on during start up.

When priming the engine, make sure to pump the oil up and then start the engine QUICKLY afterwards. DO not pump the oil up and then take a 5 hour break.

When starting it up, make sure to have PLENTY of cool water running through the radiator. It will want to overheat itself. Make sure to run the engine for 20 minutes at 2000 to 2500 rpms. Some people vary the rpms a little some people don't.

Hope this helps.

JT.

[Antibilly]

Lick the Block from top to bottom!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Petejoe]

[ QUOTE ]
Lick the Block from top to bottom!!


[/ QUOTE ]
Is that a (Hard Block) or (Soft Block)??