First Start up of rebuilt engine

[bjbbrian1968]

Hi All after a very long journey of 4 years on my spit iv rebuild im ready to fire "Alfred" up, after much google and utube I managed to get the timing done on tdc, piston 1 etc etc, ( never done any mechanics before so very proud ). but now i have bit to sort on the carbs as it wont tick over not sure if its fuel supply problem as it only wants to start on full choke. any tips what to do next ? ps everything is new inc carbs , not checked any base settings yet

[JohnD]

It's a great moment, Brian, when you first hear you handiwork running!

 

There is a procedure to best start the run-in too.

I hope you have cam lube on the cams.

Once you get it started, run it for twenty minutes, varying the revs around 2-3K, to prevent harmonics limiting lubrication.

 

Then when you have it on the road, find somewhere quiet where you can drive oddly!

Foot hard down in a high gear, almost but not quite at 'bogging' point.    

Then foot off throttle, coast down, in gear, using engine braking.

The idea is to make the piston rings work really hard, wearing against the bores, then using engine vacuum to lift oil up onto the rings so as not to glaze them.

 

Good luck!

John

[bjbbrian1968]

Thank You John,

 

Had another good day, after a long night reading a lot of post on here and most problems i see people been there & done that Haha.

1. The fuel was crap getting to the carbs via the primer , So i filled the bowls up.

2. Also the bottom nuts on the manifold was still loose once tightened it was much better.

3. At first it only fired on choke but i was little nervous having it running for long time at first.

4. Once warmed up a little  fuel was good in getting through and I was now able to get the timing gun on it.

5. Then I worked out what the settings on the carbs do and it started ticking over on its own.

6. The choke when pulled only pulls down one of the red needle jets and very sticky ? needs some further homework done, not bad as I bought them on ebay and just put them on without tinkering yet with them.

7. I don't have the exhaust on yet so it was kinda loud coming out the down pipes, 

8. The exhaust I went for a new twin sports stainless but in doing so you loose the spring return linkage so ive made a temp clamp but im guessing i should check the depth and the tension on the spring etc ?

 

other than that 1 very happy guy but still lots to do

 

Regards

 

Brian