Buick engine break in tips?

[MrSony]

As I get ever closer to finishing my Buick 350, I got to wondering: what should I set the timing at for that first start? Should the timing marks be at 6 for the cam gear and 12 for the rank gear at TDC and just line the rotor on my HEI up with #1 terminal? As far as I remember Buick's don't have timing marks on the balancer itself, but it has a timing tab on the timing cover already. And I know that Buicks oiling system is very finicky. Planning on using the comp cams mineral oil that they recommend.

 

[pontiacgp]

don't know about the timing but with the oil pump I packed it with Vaseline on the Buick 350 I rebuilt years ago

 

[RegalBegal]

Read........Start at page 6A-46

http://www.teambuick.com/reference/library/75_chassis/files/6-a.php

 

[lilbowtie]

Dito Pontiacgp and prime it using a drill motor before setting in the car or at least before starting - they can be SOB's to catch prime. I think you will find that setting your timing marks at 6 & 12 isn't TDC compression stroke. Make sure you are on compression stroke #1, set your rotor to #1, I set the balancer to the recommended timing on the tab and with a spark plug being held grounded to the engine connected to #1, with the key on rotate the distributor till the plug fires and lock it there(it's close) . Are you breaking in a new cam ?? if so get it fired and up to 2500 - 3000 asap

 

[pontiacgp]

did you put a new cam and lifters in the engine? You may have put that info in another thread but I'm old and need to be reminded of stuff..

 

[pontiacgp]

I can't remember if I posted this or not.....did you put a new cam and lifters in the engine? You may have put that info in another thread but I'm old and need to be reminded of stuff..

 

[MrSony]

Tip

I can't remember if I posted this or not.....did you put a new cam and lifters in the engine? You may have put that info in another thread but I'm old and need to be reminded of stuff..

Triple poooost. Yes, I did. Just about everything is new except the crank, rods, and heads. Comp 268H cam kit.

 

[pontiacgp]

then I guess you realize you have to run the engine long enough to break in the cam..Did you get the timing issue worked out?

 

[MrSony]

then I guess you realize you have to run the engine long enough to break in the cam..Did you get the timing issue worked out?

IF you're referring to my "is my distributor off a tooth" thread, yes. And that was on my already running and driving '70 Thunderbird. This one, is about the Buick 350 I'm building. I plan on packing the oil pump area with vaseline as mentioned, and the normal engine running stuff. Just wanted to know some tidbits about the initial timing for initial start up. I gotta re-seal the rear main seal, I have a feeling it will leak. Just want to be sure and I gotta pull the pan to clean it out a bit more. Don't want dirty oil now. I did my best, but a good sandblasting will really help.

 

[pontiacgp]

I read you got the Thunderbird worked out, I was talking about this engine since you mentioned it in your opening post. Are you trying to confuse me cause I admitted to be old?......