First Time start
 

Getting ready for first start of overhauled, re-installed'49 flathead engine. Have checked electric fuel pump, carb, and lines for fuel leaks and all is clean.

This is a 1.5 ton Ford F5 truck (big, heavy) in my garage. Moving it out of the garage would be major production. Moving it back in if it doesn't start would be nigh impossible (driveway slopes up to garage).

I am thinking of starting it in the garage with 6 people with fire extinquishers standing by to pop either the extinquishers or the champagne bottles depending on outcome.

What are your expert opinions on doing this? Is this a crazy hazard, fire or otherwise, or am I being overly cautious? Any tips on how to do this?


thx

Alan

Re: First Time start
 

With an electric fuel pump, you can find a sunk float or any leaks before you try to fire it up. But it is a good idea to have a fire extinguishers handy. Fire away. Once you have it running, have a bottle of MMO handy to drizzle into the carb a few times during the first 20 minutes or so. Fresh valves and guides can be a little sticky for a while. It took my rebuild a few hours on the road for the compression to even out between cylinders.

Re: First Time start
 

The MMO is a good thing but he better wait until it is running good
enough to take it outside. You can't drizzle MMO when it's in the
garage, the smoke will kill you. Or you could get out of the building
and the building will get exterminated. G.M

Re: First Time start
 

Alan I like your style. Go for it!

Re: First Time start
 

You really need to run it and have load on it, sitting on the spot wont do it any good.

Re: First Time start
 

Just firing it won't hurt. If you want to seat rings or breakin the cam, then load is best. Right?