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Engine Rebuild--Initial Start-up

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R

Ray Smith

Jedi Hopeful
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Have the engine in the BJ7 and am ready for the initial start-up. What is the proper method for initial start-up that will not damage the cam?

I rebuilt the engine in my MGA last year and was advised to insure that the lifters and cam lobes were well lubricated, then to start the engine and maintain 2000-2200 rprm for 20-25 minutes. Apparently it is very important that this rpm rating be maintained in order to keep the lifters from beating the cam lobes.

Is this the same for the 6 cylinder Healey engine. Thanks for any/all input.

Cheers,

Ray
 
Ray,
You got good advice. It applies to any freshly started engine with new cam & or lifters. Obviously in order to do this, you need to have timing, & valve adjustment correct before you start & full, leak free oil & coolant systems. No shutting down to fix oopses. I think that it is mainly to assure adequate splash lubrication to critical cam & lifter surfaces until they get mated a bit.
D

[ 04-13-2004: Message edited by: Dave Russell ]</p>
 
There actually are special cam lubes available for "first start" (although I've never used them). I think APT sells this. As long as you've got plenty of regular motor oil on the cam lobes, you're probably OK.
Also, you may want to consider cranking the engine without ignition until the oil-pressure comes up off of zero (but just do this in "bursts", so you don't overheat the starter). I'm doing a "first start" on my rebuilt Spridget engine this week.
 
I'm not familiar with the healey engines, but can't you just prime the oil pump like with chevy and ford engines?
 
Highly advisable to use engine rebuild lubes throughout on the assembly. I do know of using STP to assemble parts first. Failing this, I use a pressurized pre-lube container I mfg myself. Hook it up to the air compressor fill with oil and enter through oil pressure opening in engine. Pressurize the oil to about 30psi (this pre-lubes the whole engine using the normal lube openings)then start the engine. Works great.
Another method I heard about was spinning the oil pump via the distributor shaft to build up pressure, before starting, that method is fairly common and can be done by removing the distributor and fabricating something that would reach down and contact the oil pump gear. Ask around perhaps someone could loan you their tool for this purpose.
Good Luck
smile.gif
 
I believe the fast idle - cam breakin theory comes from the need for "extra" splash lubrication during the first few minutes.

Any assembly lube, cam lube, or other goop will be rapidly used up/scraped off in seconds & needs to be supplemented with extra splash oiling for the cam.

While prepumping & other prep methods of building pressure will help the bearings & other pressure lubed parts, most cams & lifters rely on splash lube so this doesn't help the cam.

About 90% of the new cams that I have used come with this specific instruction from the cam maker. The ones without instructions just assume that you will do this.

Before we get a bunch of stories about how many folks have not done it this way & survived -- Yes, you can get lucky & if the cam & lifters have compatible hardness & metallurgy the breakin procedure may not be needed. But why take a chance?
D
 
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