Question on first start up with rebuilt engine/ trans fluid drained

[71 SE3834V]

Rebuilt engine going to be fired up soon (within days). OK, I'm aware of the oil priming & cam break in procedure and all that but I have a kink in the situation. My trans & torque converter have been drained and trans resealed. Trans guy said to only install 4 qts. fluid to start or it will come out the vent. My question is at what point do I need to get more fluid in the trans.
Engine oil pump was primed a few days ago & I have oil to the top of both sides. I will prime again before installing or just after setting the engine in place or should I wait until everything is hooked up and ready to fire? I ask because it might take me a few days to get everything hooked up and ready to go after dropping the engine in.
Engine is at TDC right now & I was going to install the dizzy before rotating the engine to bolt up the tq.

Here is my start up list:
Put 4 qts of fluid in trans.
Have a timing light and tach hooked up.
I have a mark on my dist. & block so I should be able to get the initial timing where it ran last year.
Fill carb bowl w/fuel.
Fire up engine.
Verify I have oil pressure.
Quickly set timing to about 12-15* base timing.
Raise rpm's to 1500-2000 and run for 20-30 mins to break in cam.

When and where in this process do I add trans fluid? My trans guy mentioned the fluid won't start pumping until I put the trans in neutral. Will the trans be ok at the high rpm or can I add more fluid at the higher rpm and should the trans be in park or neutral?
Don't want to burn up the trans.

[John_Kunkel]

A standard-depth 727 pan should accept 6 quarts without running out the breather.

Pour in the 6 quarts and leave the funnel in the dipstick tube, fire the engine with the shifter in Neutral and, as soon as possible, add another 3 quarts. I like to have the rear on jack stands so the tires are free to move (the wheels will rotate during breakin due to the windmill effect).

Leaving the engine at idle long enough to set the timing defeats the whole purpose of high-rpm cam breakin, set the initial timing before you start the engine and go immediately to breakin rpm.

[moparnation74]

Well stated John!

[71 SE3834V]

Ok, thanks. Added 2 more qts.

Another question:
My p.s. pump was removed & drained and steering gear replaced. Obviously when reattached I will fill up the pump. Will the fluid pump into the gear if I don't touch the steering wheel and the pump stay full during break in or will it pump in and result in low fluid in the pump?

[firefighter3931]

Yes, the pump will empty out and refill the box...assuming that the box is empty. 

Personally, I would just break it in with the PS belt off....one less thing to worry about. 


Ron

[71 SE3834V]

Dammit! Why didn't I think of that. Already put the belt on.

[Dino]

That'a okay, I have some strong scissors around here somewhere.   

[71 SE3834V]

Hey! I could come repo that elect. choke! 

It's go time!

[Dino]

Hey! I could come repo that elect. choke! 

It's go time!

Dammit, didn't see that one coming.   

Is it ready to fire up?   

[71 SE3834V]

Already did but had to shut it down after 10 min. Valve cover gasket blew out. Oil all over the place. Torqued that thing 3 times on the stand and both sides were loose like I never tighten them at all. Yes they were the cork ones that came w/the full set but I thought they'd last at least through the break in and was planning on upgrading in the spring. 

[Dino]

Ah bummer.  My cork gaskets didn't last at all, leaks all over the place.  I'm getting those blue Morosso ones next, I'm tired of valve cover leaks.

[71 SE3834V]

I bet yours lasted at least 10 mins. I think the only reason the pass. side didn't blow out is because I put RTV on both sides. Ran out and bought a set of the rubber over fiber Felpro ones like I used to have on there. Only a slight residue on the pass. side after 3 yrs and I put it on dry. I just got around to replacing the drivers side last yr and only had run it a couple of hours and it had attached so well it tore when I removed it. Will put a little rtv on this time and hopefully they will pop off if I need to remove them but I won't hold my breath on that one.
Not looking forward to the extra work tomorrow. I really want to get this wrapped up for the winter so I can move on to other things.

[Dino]

I used Permatex ultra copper between the valve covers and gaskets but not between gaskets and heads so I could still remove them easily.  I think next time I'll just use the copper all around.  The only reason I ever have to remove the covers in the first place is because they leak!   

So how did this puppy sound wth those bullet mufflers?  Did the Chevy guy next door come peeking?   

[71 SE3834V]

It sounds like an engine should....with old school glass packs on it!
The Chevy guy is not around much but the guy across the street with the Nova and the supercharger sticking outta the hood stopped to watch me go by today. 

Installed new valve cover gaskets Wednesday and cleaned up the mess.
Ran the rest of the breaking on Thursday, dialed in the points, timing & crab. Reinstalled the p.s. belt. Filled pump and the steering gear.
Cleaned up leaves on Friday. Back at it Saturday.