Pre First Start Woes

[maclonchas]

Well as I get closer to a first start, I continue to find or read things that require me to look back at my build and delay first start. Case in point are the side pipes. I was not going to install them for now and wait until go kart stage. After reading several threads that recommend against a first start without side pipes with an EFI engine, that led me to look at the parts needed to install the side pipes. Murphy’s law struck and the bolts needed for the side pipes have done a walk about. I also learned that use of the nuts provided will be more work in the long run. So that means I need to acquire this hardware. Amazon and Ace here I come. Just another delay.

I went to check the fuel pump one last time and forgot that the Edelbrock system shuts down the circuit fairly quickly after you get the ignition circuit energized. This led me to revalidate my fuse, relay and harness wiring to for the fuel pump circuit. It only dawned on me toward the end of the checks that I needed to review system operation for that circuit and see pin 87 goes low and no power is provided.

One check I had done was manually power the fuel pump to ensure that the pump or wires into the cabin were good that led to a good check , but forgot I had put fuel in the tank to check for leaks. I had manually energized the pump to check for fuel leaks prior to attempting a first start. No good deed goes unpunished and I found a small leak at the fuel filter that caused me to question my fuel canister setup. Now I need to step back and handle these issues and replan first start.

Cleaning up that mess had me forget the operation of the Pro Flo 4 system as I mentioned earlier.

Lesson learned is layout each check and define success. Move on only when you have closed that issue or red tag so not to forget where you left off.

Just thought I would provide some humor for those who never seem to have problems in their builds.

Cheers

Bill

[i.e.427]

Bill, side pipes are always mounted with standard 3/8" hardware around here, until the car is just ready to go home. The rear hangers don't get mounted for obvious reason until the body is in place for the final time. As long as your not driving the car and downshifting the O2 sensors will be fine. You'll most likely just be idling the engine anyways.

For the fuel pump, you are going to want to check for leaks. So putting a jumper in line for the relay is a good idea just to check all the lines at pressure and to be able to set your pressure at the FPR. For Coyote builds we jump the relay for first start just to make it a bit easier to get the engine started the first time.

Frank

[scrubs]

Just thought I would provide some humor for those who never seem to have problems in their builds.

Cheers

Bill

Those would be called liars.

Kidding aside, there may be those who bang these out without a single hiccup, but I made some pretty embarrassing mistakes along the way. It doesn't feel like it when you are deep in it, but I assure you there is a sense of satisfaction when you eventually dig yourself out of it and are do e. Just take one bite at a time.