Engine break in didn't go so well

[eagleone1983]

:angry9: So I had a guy help me out with breaking in my engine yesterday but it didn't go so well. We couldn't get it to fire, we would only get fireballs every once in a while shooting out the carb which tells me we where 180* out but we checked the timing a bunch of times and I'm not that engine savvy and the guy helping said he didn't think we were 180* out. I'm going to go back over everything today slowly by myself and have spent most the day today just reading and doing research. We were on the compression stroke as my finger got blown out of #1 spark plug hole. The only thing that seemed weird to me is #1 spark plug wire on the distributor cap was at the 11o'clock position but he said it doesn't matter as long as the rotor is pointing at it.

My question is I know cranking the engine a lot during break in is not good on the cam so have I pretty much guaranteed a wiped lope? I primed the motor and also have the cam greased up with assembly lube from Amsoil when it was installed. We messed with the motor for about 3 hours and I'd say total cranking time, not all at once this is just what I would say would be the total, was about 30 mins. A few bumps here and couple cranks there and yeah it probably adds up to about 30 mins. I'm already sad because while we were trying to get the engine started I smelled smoke and saw it coming out of my cowl grill. For some reason my heater blower motor decided the rebuild I paid someone to do on it wasn't good enough and got super hot and more than likely is toast.

Any help, advise, or a total run down of the process is much appreciated.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

Start with the basics,Fuel,Air,Fire...Without ANY of the three, it won't run.Check all connection. First make SURE your timing marks are correct.

Pull plug #1 and when you feel it push air out,(Set the motor to TDC),reset the plugs in the right order on the dist. Starting with cylinder #1.(wired the plugs counter clockwise).

 

[MoparBill]

If it's a big block the firing order is counter-clockwise. I've seen good mechanics get tripped up on that in the past.

 

[eagleone1983]

So I redid everything. The distributor drive gear was about 2 teeth off. I set the distributor reluctor to the little metal tang about 1/8 advanced and she fired right up. I only got to run it about 12 minutes and it got way too hot so I shut it down. I think the thermostat wasn't opening cause the radiator didn't feel hot but the water housing sure the hell was

 

[747mopar]

Good to hear you got it fired, I wouldn't worry yourself to much on the cam until you have good reason to "it's probably fine". Something you could try next time you fire a motor is to time it before you fire it. I know some people will disagree but I'd rather turn the motor over a couple times to set the timing then have it belching fire and backfiring. Besides if the oil is primed, it's lubing the motor while your cranking it. I did this on mine and it fired immedietly and idled perfectly.

 

[64 Post]

I always remove the T-stat and use straight water whenever I fire a new engine. If the rad gets too hot you open the petcock at the bottom and run cold water in at the top and maintain 180º.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

I put a large house fan to blow air thru the radiator. Did that on Harleys too..................MO

 

[RustyRatRod]

Did you have a temp gauge on it? Lots of times especially during break in, they'll put off more heat and not actually be runnin hot.

 

[eagleone1983]

yeah I had a temp gauge on it. It got to 240 when I shut it down and let it cool off. We fired it up again and the same thing happened, we shut it down again. I squeezed the top radiator hose and fluid was finally moving through so I guess the thermostat got stuck or something. Anyway fired it back up and ran it for 20 mins between 2k - 3k rpm and she stayed at about 195 - 200*. Cam seemed fine, no crazy noises. Got it to idle at about 760rpm still need to dial in the timing, it was getting late and those Dynomax Ultraflos were pretty loud. I LOVE IT! Just shows what a bunch of reading and research will help. When I get back from my deployment I'm signing up to be a Gold Member this site has helped me more than I can count.

 

[MoparMitch]

Glad to see you got it all straight. Probably had an air pocket somewhere. Cruising time is just about here!!!

 

[RustyRatRod]

Coolness. Glad you got it goin and the cam broke in. Keep us posted.

 

[69a100]

Good to hear you got her runnin,it's amazing what you find when you stand back and look at your big picture on problems. If you've been following Cr8crshr's project we kinda had the same problems. Be safe on your Deployment, you going to the Deid?

 

[eagleone1983]

Yep, I'll only be there for two months so it's not that bad but even a week sucks away from my daughter.

 

[69a100]

A day in the desert is to much for me!!! Sucks worse now that it's getting hotter.

 

[rsd859]

Glad you got it figured out!

 

[eagleone1983]

yeah I'm thinking it'll be about 110* or so

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Oh and about 130 plus inside the aircraft...sucky