Starting and breaking in new engine on a K frame dolly

[Scott Kiger]

So I am closing in on the finish line on my assembly of the suspension, engine, and transmission. I am considering rigging a radiator in front and putting a short exhaust on it and doing the break in with it on the dolly. Anybody ever done that before?

 

[VANDAN]

It's a very good idea. I'm sure some here can share the details on their Run Stands. I prefer to take mine for break-in, and tune to a Dyno shop...

 

[BeepBeepRR]

Sort of... I built a run stand but pretty much it was all together but not on a K-Frame.

 

[gkent]

What a great idea. You wii be the very first to ever do that !

 

[Lowhound]

So I am closing in on the finish line on my assembly of the suspension, engine, and transmission. I am considering rigging a radiator in front and putting a short exhaust on it and doing the break in with it on the dolly. Anybody ever done that before? View attachment 1817590View attachment 1817591

I plan on starting & breaking my cam in on a stand too. The engine will have Holley Sniper EFI to go along with a Holley distributor & their ignition box. But for the initial start up & cam break in I'll temporarily use an electronic distributor & a carburator

 

[BeepBeepRR]

I would highly recommend carb and electronic Distributor. The Sniper is not accurate enough on the first start and that is very crucial. It takes Holley too long to get itself together. By that time the cam could be trashed.

 

[turbine68rt]

You might want to consider using a good less expensive oil filter for break in such as a 51515 Wix if its going to be replaced right away. Those repro filters are a little salty for short term use. Nice period-correct points distributor btw.

 

[Scott Kiger]

What a great idea. You wii be the very first to ever do that !

I know people put them on run stands all the time. I was more wondering if anybody had did it on a K frame dolly such as this. But your sarcasm is noted.

 

[Scott Kiger]

You might want to consider using a good less expensive oil filter for break in such as a 51515 Wix if its going to be replaced right away. Those repro filters are a little salty for short term use. Nice period-correct points distributor btw.

It’s just on there finger tight. Have a a case of Wix filters on the shelf for break in and use on my other cars and trucks. .

 

[HawkRod]

So I am closing in on the finish line on my assembly of the suspension, engine, and transmission. I am considering rigging a radiator in front and putting a short exhaust on it and doing the break in with it on the dolly. Anybody ever done that before? View attachment 1817590View attachment 1817591

I have not done this, but think it is a good idea.

I would use it to break in the cam and check for leaks, but be aware that to seat the rings you need a load on the engine either from a dyno or from driving the car around. I'd suggest just running it long enough to break the cam in. Then install it and break in the rings in the car. Depending on how the cylinders were honed, it shouldn't take long if more modern day honing techniques were used with finer stones.

 

[Don Frelier]

I would just run water in it .
I'd also leave the fan off the engine just set a box fan in front of the radiator and maybe a second one just blowing over the engine. You can leave them off until the thermostat opens so it heats up as quickly as possible.

I like to prime it, leave the plugs out and set the timing by spinning it with the starter.
A mini starter or modern permanent magnet starter is helpful here.

Give it a heavy advance maybe 20 degrees BTDC or more.
Then as soon as you crank it and have fuel it should start immediately.

Have an extinguisher and a hose ready and do it outdoors.
A second set of eyes is helpful.

 

[gkent]

Do you have a roller cam in it or conventional flat or hydraulic ??

 

[Fran Blacker]

All I can say make sure it's steady enough so the torque doesn't tip it over.

 

[RJ Squirrel]

What is the advantage of doing this instead of just bolting it into the car, other than the obvious fun factor?
I left the front clip off of my RR for break-in, worked good.

 

[Fran Blacker]

What is the advantage of doing this instead of just bolting it into the car, other than the obvious fun factor?
I left the front clip off of my RR for break-in, worked good.

Unexpected issues like a gallery plug leak any place. Ask me after pulling the engine in my Satellite and fixing a leak in 5 mins. 4 hrs to remove engine 5min fix 4 hrs to Re-install,by myself.

 

[RJ Squirrel]

Have your hat ready in case of fire

 

[Scott Kiger]

Do you have a roller cam in it or conventional flat or hydraulic ??

Hydraulic flat tappet

 

[Don Frelier]

Have your hat ready in case of fire

Yikes