edwardb
02-22-2014, 08:03 PM
Well, today was the day. I've been posting a build thread, but had to post a new entry for the first start. Buttoned up all the items on my checklist and it was time to see if this thing is alive. Just to recap, the engine is the following:
- DART SHP Ford 302 Block, Bore 4.030, Stroke: 3.40 = 347 CI
- Scat 4340 forged crank balanced to 28oz
- Scat 4340 forged H beam connecting cods
- Wiseco 2618 forged aluminum pistons (Flat Top, 14cc), Wiseco GFX Ring Package
- Clevite 77 H main and rod bearings, DART cam bearings, all ARP hardware
- AFR #1388 185 aluminum SBF Renegade 20 degree heads
- Compression ratio calculated as 10.5:1
- COMP Cams custom billet hydraulic roller cam, COMP Cams Ultra Pro Magnum rocker arms, COMP Cams hydraulic roller lifters
- Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap intake manifold, Edelbrock water pump, Edelbrock mechanical fuel pump
- Quick Fuel SS-750-AN double pumper carb, annular boosters
- MSD 6AL-2 digital ignition box, MSD billet distributor with steel gear, MSD Blaster coil
- Billet Specialties rocker arm covers and air cleaner, March Performance pulleys, Pioneer Automotive billet harmonic balancer, Ford Racing 28 oz billet steel flywheel, QuickTime bell housing, McLeod Super StreetPro clutch, TKO600 trans, Forte hydraulic clutch setup, FFR/BBK headers, GAS-N side pipes.
FordStrokers in the Chicago area did the short block plus the cam, front timing gear and cover, and pan with oil pump and pick-ups. I sourced and did the balance of assembly. Had a great time with the process. Very pleased with how it turned out. Estimated HP is 450-475 range.
After putting the engine in the chassis a few weeks ago, finally completed all the details leading to today. Got all the wiring to the engine installed and hooked up. Installed upper and lower radiator hoses and the overflow tank. Installed the headers and side pipes. Installed the driveshaft and put fluid in all the right places: Transmission, engine and cooling. Today I put fuel in it for the first time (Shell 93 octane V-Power), and also removed the distributor and valve covers and primed the oil pump. Confirmed I had oil at all the rockers and oil pressure indicating on the gauge.
With the checklist done and fire extinguishers at hand, cranked it a couple times with the ignition module switched off. Confirmed I had fuel at the carb, switched on the ignition module, and cranked for real. It immediately fired, but popped and made some unhappy noises. Tried again and the same. Decided my first estimate at the distributor location and timing wasn’t close enough, so gave the distributor a slight twist. Worse that time. Went the other way, and the first video is exactly that moment. I had the camera running on the other false starts, but they’re not pretty. I’m not sharing.
You can see the timing light flashing in the first video. After the first start, looked everything over. All was good except radiator fluid was dripping onto the ground. Quite a bit actually. Checked hoses and the water pump, all looked OK. It was coming out of the main radiator cap filler area. Weird. Tried a few things and still haven’t figured out what’s happening. Put a zero PSI cap on temporarily, and it’s OK for now. Getting a free flow into the overflow tank.
Once that was temporarily under control, started again and set the timing with the timing light. Now we’re getting somewhere. Then shot the second video with a walk around. All the gauge indications so far look perfect (plus they all work!). You can see a little smoke at one point. I think I'm getting a little blow-by, but the rings aren't seated yet so nothing to panic about. Started it again later and let the clutch out on first and a little in second. Works perfect so far. All smooth with no bad noises. Getting an indication on the speedo. Uncalibrated of course. The transmission tunnel cover is off, so kind of interesting to see that little driveshaft and U-joints spinning around.
In summary, obviously a huge relief that it started without any big issues. I asked Jim at FordStrokers to give me a strong but still very streetable setup, and that’s what I think I have. It’s idling comfortably at around 800 rpm. Lumpy but not extreme. Sounds very strong. Throttle response is just instant. And this is without any carb tuning yet. Now can’t wait to drive it. If we ever get some warmer weather and clean streets, go-kart isn’t too far away!
Picture before first start:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Engine/th_IMG_2469_zps081382e1.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Engine/IMG_2469_zps081382e1.jpg.html)
Video 1:
First Start Factory 5 Mk4 Roadster, Video #1 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrGe6_XN4Xk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUO4KYpjJSPNDCmKOFSh6yyA)
Video 2:
First Start Factory 5 Mk4 Roadster, Video #2 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VpHok2qPKE&feature=c4-overview&list=UUO4KYpjJSPNDCmKOFSh6yyA)
- DART SHP Ford 302 Block, Bore 4.030, Stroke: 3.40 = 347 CI
- Scat 4340 forged crank balanced to 28oz
- Scat 4340 forged H beam connecting cods
- Wiseco 2618 forged aluminum pistons (Flat Top, 14cc), Wiseco GFX Ring Package
- Clevite 77 H main and rod bearings, DART cam bearings, all ARP hardware
- AFR #1388 185 aluminum SBF Renegade 20 degree heads
- Compression ratio calculated as 10.5:1
- COMP Cams custom billet hydraulic roller cam, COMP Cams Ultra Pro Magnum rocker arms, COMP Cams hydraulic roller lifters
- Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap intake manifold, Edelbrock water pump, Edelbrock mechanical fuel pump
- Quick Fuel SS-750-AN double pumper carb, annular boosters
- MSD 6AL-2 digital ignition box, MSD billet distributor with steel gear, MSD Blaster coil
- Billet Specialties rocker arm covers and air cleaner, March Performance pulleys, Pioneer Automotive billet harmonic balancer, Ford Racing 28 oz billet steel flywheel, QuickTime bell housing, McLeod Super StreetPro clutch, TKO600 trans, Forte hydraulic clutch setup, FFR/BBK headers, GAS-N side pipes.
FordStrokers in the Chicago area did the short block plus the cam, front timing gear and cover, and pan with oil pump and pick-ups. I sourced and did the balance of assembly. Had a great time with the process. Very pleased with how it turned out. Estimated HP is 450-475 range.
After putting the engine in the chassis a few weeks ago, finally completed all the details leading to today. Got all the wiring to the engine installed and hooked up. Installed upper and lower radiator hoses and the overflow tank. Installed the headers and side pipes. Installed the driveshaft and put fluid in all the right places: Transmission, engine and cooling. Today I put fuel in it for the first time (Shell 93 octane V-Power), and also removed the distributor and valve covers and primed the oil pump. Confirmed I had oil at all the rockers and oil pressure indicating on the gauge.
With the checklist done and fire extinguishers at hand, cranked it a couple times with the ignition module switched off. Confirmed I had fuel at the carb, switched on the ignition module, and cranked for real. It immediately fired, but popped and made some unhappy noises. Tried again and the same. Decided my first estimate at the distributor location and timing wasn’t close enough, so gave the distributor a slight twist. Worse that time. Went the other way, and the first video is exactly that moment. I had the camera running on the other false starts, but they’re not pretty. I’m not sharing.
You can see the timing light flashing in the first video. After the first start, looked everything over. All was good except radiator fluid was dripping onto the ground. Quite a bit actually. Checked hoses and the water pump, all looked OK. It was coming out of the main radiator cap filler area. Weird. Tried a few things and still haven’t figured out what’s happening. Put a zero PSI cap on temporarily, and it’s OK for now. Getting a free flow into the overflow tank.
Once that was temporarily under control, started again and set the timing with the timing light. Now we’re getting somewhere. Then shot the second video with a walk around. All the gauge indications so far look perfect (plus they all work!). You can see a little smoke at one point. I think I'm getting a little blow-by, but the rings aren't seated yet so nothing to panic about. Started it again later and let the clutch out on first and a little in second. Works perfect so far. All smooth with no bad noises. Getting an indication on the speedo. Uncalibrated of course. The transmission tunnel cover is off, so kind of interesting to see that little driveshaft and U-joints spinning around.
In summary, obviously a huge relief that it started without any big issues. I asked Jim at FordStrokers to give me a strong but still very streetable setup, and that’s what I think I have. It’s idling comfortably at around 800 rpm. Lumpy but not extreme. Sounds very strong. Throttle response is just instant. And this is without any carb tuning yet. Now can’t wait to drive it. If we ever get some warmer weather and clean streets, go-kart isn’t too far away!
Picture before first start:
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Engine/th_IMG_2469_zps081382e1.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Engine/IMG_2469_zps081382e1.jpg.html)
Video 1:
First Start Factory 5 Mk4 Roadster, Video #1 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrGe6_XN4Xk&feature=c4-overview&list=UUO4KYpjJSPNDCmKOFSh6yyA)
Video 2:
First Start Factory 5 Mk4 Roadster, Video #2 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VpHok2qPKE&feature=c4-overview&list=UUO4KYpjJSPNDCmKOFSh6yyA)