Rvsmith5

Hey everyone,
I should get my engine bolted in today, assuming I can get the mounts to line up.

I was wondering when you guys would try to run it. Should I just temp the minimums together and get it firing, or just keep plugging away at assembly and wait until its all together to try it?

What do you all do when you get to this point?

thanks,
bob

RandyS

Need just a bit more info, also pics of your current progress may help us out.

Rvsmith5

I am fighting the back half of the 2nd engine bolt today. Maybe tomorrow too the way its going. I have lots to assemble, just wondering if I should work toward getting it going, or just start putting things together. I also just want to hear it run. Just wondering what others who maybe have done this a time or two have done. I guess i want to know if you make it right, then run, or get it running, then make it right.

oldcutlass

If its a rebuild, I always wait until I have everything put back together with the exception of the hood. Then I go through the cam break in process.

Rvsmith5

Not a rebuild. My uncle told me he drove the donor home and it ran great. He started the swap, but decided to stop when the 400 trans that came with the donor was not the same. I just mated it with the th350 that was previously in the 442. Engine was cleaned up a bit, new plugs wires points etc.. i plan to run them both until they either die, or I have the money for the body, whichever comes first.

joe_padavano

The reality of life is that at some point in a car project, you have to hear it run to maintain enthusiasm. If the engine has been running before go ahead and fire it up. Just be sure that in your haste to make noise, you don't overlook a safety issue like a fuel line that needs to be tightened.

Rvsmith5

The fuel system I won't rush, learned that lesson already...the hard way

bob

oldcutlass

Since its not a rebuild I see no issue, hook up a radiator. Temp wiring is simple.

Tedd Thompson

I would probably fire it up early, maybe even with out the radiator and supports and such for a minute or less.It would be a shame to put it back complete and find out uncle didn't hear a rod knock then have to start all over again. It does go faster though the second time..... Tedd