k-roy
06-26-2023, 06:13 PM
I was not able to attend to London Car Show this weekend, so I did the next best thing--started my gen 3 coyote for the first time. Not everything went as planned.
First off, this is the first time my roadster has been off jack stands since delivered by Stewart. I forgot how low to the ground these cars are. The Frame has been over 30 inches up for the last 9 months. Second, I don't have all the back panels on as I wanted to check for leaks. Third - picked the hottest day of the year. 95 degrees, 60% humidity. Guess it could have been worse, in 2 days it will be 104 degrees with 60% humidity. For those that are jealous of early start to driving season in the deep south, remember the summers. I installed A/C (I know, I know), to try and give me another 6-8 weeks of drivable weather.
My little helper was ready to assist. Although he wouldn't leave his ear protection on, so he went inside.
186401
186402
As I said, no everything went as planned. I have read about Gen 3 Coyote's taking some cranking time to start. I considered connecting the fuel pump to pressurize the system prior to my first start to prevent a prolonged crank. But, I figured having some oil going through the system while cranking couldn't be a bad thing. Wheeled the car outside, and started to crank the engine. And crank the engine. Thought to myself, this is taking a long time. Continue to crank the engine. Thought, this has to be too long, so I stopped. Oh no. :( Asked my father to check the fuel pressure while cranking - it was zero. :confused:
As you look at the video, you will notice all sorts of wires for tracking as we tracked down the issue. I swore I double/Tripple checked everything before I cut, crimped, heat shrunk the wires. :mad: Started to recheck my work, recheck continuity, etc. (Notice the wiring book with the diagrams on the gas tank). I look up at the dash and started to laugh. While trying to get the wires in a manageable position, I haven't connected every harness (do I run this harness wires, over/under/around this other harness). Yup, sure enough I hadn't connected the rear harness. :rolleyes: I like easy fixes.
Second attempt - after a more manageable and shorter cranking session, the engine started and fired up. Success!! But, during the build, my AC evaporator takes up a significant amount of room on the engine bay firewall, so the regulator was pushed nearly up to the driver side foot box. With the engine in, there was not a lot of room to tighten the fuel hoses easily. So I had concerns for a leak. Sure enough, one of the hoses was not quite tight enough. Shut the engine down, (hadn't had a chance to even warm up). Cleaned up the fuel. Tightened everything up. Went to check the video.... In all the excitement, the cameraman thought he pushed record. NOPE. What I do have is that when the record button was pushed to stop recording, I now have a video of us discussing the fuel leak. (Accidently sent that to my brothers who just finished painting their roadster, thought I was sending the first start, so now I look like an idiot). Going to catch grief from them.
What I do have, is a second start video. I keep hearing everyone say that "If it isn't on video, it didn't happen." So does my second start video then become my first start video???
First-ish Start (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SrRbsBBXZ8)
Couple of final thoughts.
1. I heard Paul state after starting the coyote on one of his builds without his side pipes on, he would never do that again. I agree. Side pipes before I start it again.
2. I brought the operating temp up to 195, then turned it off. I used a OBD reader ECU inferred coolant temperature reading. My speedhut vintage gauge connection (from the factory) was pulled out when I looked at it (never installed) so I was unable to connect that gauge. Going to have to re-crimp that (just FYI for those that have a gauge that doesn't work, might be a place to look). I have my Coolant overflow nearly filled (occurred while following the directions for filling the coolant through heater hose connection), but it does not appear the engine sucked any fluid back into the system after self-burping. Either I didn't get the engine hot enough to open the thermostat or I did really well at filling the coolant with minimal bubbles. The radiator was hot to the touch. At some point after I wire my heater/ac and I can open the heater control valve, the system will need more coolant (so I will leave alone for now). Something for me to think about in the future.
3. Small leak at the lower radiator. I dislike how F5 has us route the lower coolant hose. I tightened the clamp (along with all the other clamps) and the leak stopped. Likely am going to switch out the lower coolant hose for a Boig tube, and may switch everything over to constant tension band clamp.
4. Finally, don't worry about the water under the car. Part of the fuel clean up process between 1st and 2nd starts.
Hearing the coyote growl for the first time was soooo addicting. Can't wait till I can go-kart.
First off, this is the first time my roadster has been off jack stands since delivered by Stewart. I forgot how low to the ground these cars are. The Frame has been over 30 inches up for the last 9 months. Second, I don't have all the back panels on as I wanted to check for leaks. Third - picked the hottest day of the year. 95 degrees, 60% humidity. Guess it could have been worse, in 2 days it will be 104 degrees with 60% humidity. For those that are jealous of early start to driving season in the deep south, remember the summers. I installed A/C (I know, I know), to try and give me another 6-8 weeks of drivable weather.
My little helper was ready to assist. Although he wouldn't leave his ear protection on, so he went inside.
186401
186402
As I said, no everything went as planned. I have read about Gen 3 Coyote's taking some cranking time to start. I considered connecting the fuel pump to pressurize the system prior to my first start to prevent a prolonged crank. But, I figured having some oil going through the system while cranking couldn't be a bad thing. Wheeled the car outside, and started to crank the engine. And crank the engine. Thought to myself, this is taking a long time. Continue to crank the engine. Thought, this has to be too long, so I stopped. Oh no. :( Asked my father to check the fuel pressure while cranking - it was zero. :confused:
As you look at the video, you will notice all sorts of wires for tracking as we tracked down the issue. I swore I double/Tripple checked everything before I cut, crimped, heat shrunk the wires. :mad: Started to recheck my work, recheck continuity, etc. (Notice the wiring book with the diagrams on the gas tank). I look up at the dash and started to laugh. While trying to get the wires in a manageable position, I haven't connected every harness (do I run this harness wires, over/under/around this other harness). Yup, sure enough I hadn't connected the rear harness. :rolleyes: I like easy fixes.
Second attempt - after a more manageable and shorter cranking session, the engine started and fired up. Success!! But, during the build, my AC evaporator takes up a significant amount of room on the engine bay firewall, so the regulator was pushed nearly up to the driver side foot box. With the engine in, there was not a lot of room to tighten the fuel hoses easily. So I had concerns for a leak. Sure enough, one of the hoses was not quite tight enough. Shut the engine down, (hadn't had a chance to even warm up). Cleaned up the fuel. Tightened everything up. Went to check the video.... In all the excitement, the cameraman thought he pushed record. NOPE. What I do have is that when the record button was pushed to stop recording, I now have a video of us discussing the fuel leak. (Accidently sent that to my brothers who just finished painting their roadster, thought I was sending the first start, so now I look like an idiot). Going to catch grief from them.
What I do have, is a second start video. I keep hearing everyone say that "If it isn't on video, it didn't happen." So does my second start video then become my first start video???
First-ish Start (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SrRbsBBXZ8)
Couple of final thoughts.
1. I heard Paul state after starting the coyote on one of his builds without his side pipes on, he would never do that again. I agree. Side pipes before I start it again.
2. I brought the operating temp up to 195, then turned it off. I used a OBD reader ECU inferred coolant temperature reading. My speedhut vintage gauge connection (from the factory) was pulled out when I looked at it (never installed) so I was unable to connect that gauge. Going to have to re-crimp that (just FYI for those that have a gauge that doesn't work, might be a place to look). I have my Coolant overflow nearly filled (occurred while following the directions for filling the coolant through heater hose connection), but it does not appear the engine sucked any fluid back into the system after self-burping. Either I didn't get the engine hot enough to open the thermostat or I did really well at filling the coolant with minimal bubbles. The radiator was hot to the touch. At some point after I wire my heater/ac and I can open the heater control valve, the system will need more coolant (so I will leave alone for now). Something for me to think about in the future.
3. Small leak at the lower radiator. I dislike how F5 has us route the lower coolant hose. I tightened the clamp (along with all the other clamps) and the leak stopped. Likely am going to switch out the lower coolant hose for a Boig tube, and may switch everything over to constant tension band clamp.
4. Finally, don't worry about the water under the car. Part of the fuel clean up process between 1st and 2nd starts.
Hearing the coyote growl for the first time was soooo addicting. Can't wait till I can go-kart.