Starting my 440 for the first time

[Harlow]

I'm ready to start my new 440. Its been sitting for a long time, probably around 5 or more years. It's got a high capacity oil pan, the oil is full but I'm sure all the oil has sank down to the pan. Is there anything I should do before cranking to make sure I don't damage any internals, cylinders etc? I've got everything else ready to go as far as ignition, carb goes.

[b5blue]

You will need to 1st make sure you have checked out the thread on motor oil if you have a flat tappet cam so you are up to speed on that! Before trying to start it you should remove the dist. and run the oil pump with a drill and adapter to get oil pressure then slowly rotate the crankshaft a few times to pre lube the whole engine.

[flyinlow]

Pre oil at the very least. Pull distributor and spin the oil pump with a drill while cranking the engine over until everything is lubed.

If a new cam ,were the camshaft lobes and lifterfaces covered with a break in lube? If it was my engine and had sat for five years I would pull the intake and valley cover and make sure the the cam was still protected. Also is a good break in addative added to the oil? Reread camshaft breakin requirements.

Also;


Gas in carb, trans fluid in, radiator full, battery charged.

A helper with a fire extingisher is never a bad idea on the first start up.     

[b5blue]

Yeh all that too!

[Harlow]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I should have specified that it is new to me but the motor was been broken in years ago. Its got low miles/run time though. Thanks for all the tips/advice.

[b5blue]

GOOD LUCK!

[Harlow]

Hey guys, so do I remove that drive shaft that the distributor shaft fits into? Then, spin the oil pump with a drill?

[Tilar]

Removing the distributor and doing a pre-oil isn't a bad idea at all, But I've never done it on an engine that has already been ran. I generally squirt some oil down in each cylinder, Change the oil filter being sure to fill the new one full of oil before you instal it. Pull the coil wire so it won't fire and crank it over. 5 second intervals with 30 seconds inbetween times. This will give the oil you put in the cylinder time to coat the cylinder walls that won't be coated by the pre-oil method with a drill.

Within a few minutes, you'll have gas to the carb, you can put your coil wire back on and fire it up. I've started engines that have set for a lot more than 5 years using this method.

[b5blue]

 Yes there is an adapter, like a really long Allen wrench. Be sure to rotate the motor to lube everything well and you will be sure not to scuff any bearings from a dry start. I like to "prime the fuel line" by sucking gas up trough the fuel pump (OK NO JOKES!) with one of those fluid siphon pumps with the squeeze ball on them (Harbor Freight 3.00) That way you don't have to crank the beans out of it to start it.