TheSamba.com :: View topic - Process for starting rebuilt 1600cc engine for 1st time?

Sat Aug 30, 2008 12:48 pm

I recently bought and installed a rebuilt dual port 1600cc into my 66 Ghia. I ground out the bellhousing, installed an alternator kit and put in an autostick starter and now believe that I'm ready to start the engine.

So my questions to you guys are:

What is the process for starting the engine for the 1st time???

What grade oil do I go with? Rebuilder said 1st run it on a light oil for 10 minutes or so then change the oil to something heavier but I'm not sure what the exact grades he said were.

He also said adjust the valves and gave me a how to which I have misplaced. MY MISTAKE!

Anyway please help! And any extra pointers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

-blue

Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:45 pm

If running a fresh cam I would go with a 5w-30 rich in ZDDP over 1200ppm, set valves at .006, disconnect the coil lead and crank to build oil pressure, then connect coil lead and fire it up!

Sun Aug 31, 2008 6:17 am

So, you have an Autostick? Why the AS starter?

Was the DP you purchased from an AS? If yours is an AS car, and the engine was not from one, best to check the vacuum hose connections to the carb and intake manifold (the big hose off the control valve), make sure they are secure.

Got the correct dual service (oil/ATF) oil pump? Just checking...you must have, or you wouldn't have reached this point.

Check over on aircooled.net, they have a good writeup for engine break in, in their tech section. One of the first things is to pull the spark plugs and the oil pressure switch, and cycle the engine without spark. Cycle the engine for 10 sec just to get oil in all the right places, before really firing it up.

Then plugs and pressure switch back in, fire it up and run it immediately up to 2500 to 4000 rpm (their procedure) for 10-15 minutes, shut down, cool down, change oil, check timing, gap points, adjust valves....adjust idle, good to go.

Good luck, let us know how it works out!

Sun Aug 31, 2008 6:22 am

Achilles3588 wrote: So, you have an Autostick?

Was the DP you purchased from an AS? If not check the vacuum hose connections to the carb and intake manifold (the big hose off the control valve), make sure they are secure.

Got the correct dual service (oil/ATF) oil pump? Just checking...you must have, or you wouldn't have reached this point.

Check over on aircooled.net, they have a good writeup for engine break in, in their tech section. One of the first things is to pull the spark plugs and the oil pressure switch, and cycle the engine without spark. Cycle the engine for 10-15 sec just to get oil in all the right places, before really firing it up.

Good luck, let us know how it works out!
He installed a 1600DP into his 1966 Ghia and is using an Autostick starter. There's no Autostick vehicle here.

Sun Aug 31, 2008 6:25 am

Icy wrote:
He installed a 1600DP into his 1966 Ghia and is using an Autostick starter. There's no Autostick vehicle here.

Interesting.

Sun Aug 31, 2008 1:07 pm

Yeah auto stick starter was used with the 12volt flywheel to bypass the need for the spacer. The aircooled.net suggestion rocked! Thanks a bunch. It says to set valves at .008 though. Which is better???