Frame Off Restoration Update 3

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“It’s A Christmas Miracle!”

That’s what the kids kept saying. Today was the first startup of the new 455. The first attempt was foiled by a low battery. In the second attempt the timing was off 180 degrees. After charging and timing, the engine started immediately and with a vengeance. Open headers with 3 in collectors brought the neighbors out (literally). Thanks Joe for building a good engine (So Far)!

For posterity, here’s the highlights:

  • The engine has already been run about 30 minutes by the original builder to break in the cam. This was about a year ago though.
  • Primed the oil pump with a drill prior to starting. Oil pressure read ~50 psi while priming. Primed for about 30 seconds.
  • New Lunati 5w30 break in oil and a new Bosch filter.
  • All new fluids (Coolant, PS, Trans)
  • 11 degrees initial advance at idle. I’ll dial in the timing curve later.
  • ~50 psi oil pressure at idle, ~75 at higher rpm.
  • ~16-20 inHg of vacuum at idle with no vacuum users hooked up (brakes, distributor, etc).
  • RPMs were varied between ~800 and 2k.
  • Ran the engine long enough to time and bring up to temp. Coolant temp opened the thermostat. About 5 minutes total so far.

Everything seemed to be spot on! Enjoy the video! It’s not the best quality, but a smart phone is what I had.

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1972-cutlass-engine-start

 

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Tomorrow the front end goes back on!

 

LEFTLANEBRAIN