misc. last minute swap Q's

[jae]

Couple of other tips / suggestions:

If the engine is on the stand:
May be a good time to prime it - can get kind of tight if trying to prime once it's in the engine compartment. If it's a SBC you can use an old distributor drive for this, or get a tool - they're kind of cheap $$ You will start to feel drag on the drill was pressure starts to build - and as stated before, have the covers off to make sure the oil is getting to the rockers.

Would suggest pulling the distributor (or at least the cap). This way will not have to worry about banging it against the firewall and breaking it. Just remember to make the markings before pulling it so you can reinstall it correctly

Once in the car:
To the board: should break-in additive be added to the oil before starting?

Take your time dropping the motor in and wiring / plumbing everything up or you may give a new meaning to "Fire it up"

If you're doing headers may want to drop them in first and bungy them out the way

Have at least one buddy (preferrably two) looking under the hood while your cranking / starting the engine. One can hold the light to check for leaks, the other the extinguisher.

Do have a box fan at least in front to blow air across

Don't be surprised if a hose clamp or something comes loose, even after re-checking everything before start-up

After break-in and oil drain check the oil for particles - may be a good idea to cut the filter open too - and use a decent filter!!

Make sure the plug wires (any wires really) are as far away from the exhaust, intake, as possible.

Make sure timing is on or as close as possible

to the board - what's the thought about antifreeze in terms of mix, drainage after break-in?

Just my thoughts

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

To the board: should break-in additive be added to the oil before starting?

not needed, lots of engines have been broken in without adding anything to the oil. i prefer to use ONLY regular oil for break ins. but that's my opinion and im sure others might have a different one on this.

to the board - what's the thought about antifreeze in terms of mix, drainage after break-in?

you can use 50/50 BUT since the 50/50 only protects against freezing its not needed just to break it in. i would say use plain water for the break in (the radiator cap increases pressure raising the boiling point of water) and then drain it and run 50/50 after that. why? ever have a radiator hose bust on you? you're better off it being just water than a 50/50 mix you'll have to clean up and is bad for pets, it WILL kill them if they consume it. break in is 20 minutes, the block wont rust so dont worry about using only water for the break in. i'd still use distilled though, im kind of OCD about the type of water i put in my cooling system.

 

[megaladon6]

i have to disagree with that. if it's a flat tappet cam, a good ZDDP/cam break in lube should be used. you don't need an additive for the bearings, just for the cam. there's a lot of stress/friction on the cam lobes and the last thing you want to do is wipe a lobe.