Need help with 440 break in

[sbh126]

I am getting ready to fire up my 440 for the first time but want to be sure to do it right. I have too much time and money in this to mess it up. Here’s the specs, 10.7 compression, stealth heads, rpm intake

First question, I have ceramic coated Schumacher headers installed. I just spent the last 2 days trying to get them on and then remembered I was supposed to use the stock manifolds for break in. Can I get away with using the headers with out damaging them? Or do I need to pull them back out.

Question 2, when I fire it up what do I want my timing to be at if I am running it at 2000 rpm? I have open headers so I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to hear any ping. I do have a timing light

Question 3, How do I tune the carb without the motor running? I know it needs to be a little rich to be on the safe side but I don’t want it to flood. It is a new Holley 750 Model 4160. Here’s the cam specs;

Grind: HIFLOW1H
LOBE SEPERATION ANGLE : 108
OVERLAP : 80
INTAKE OPEN : 40
EXHAUST CLOSES : 40
INTAKE CLOSES : 76
EXHAUST OPENS : 76
RUNNING CLEARANCE : 0.00 HOT
VALVE LIFT (INT/EXH) : 0.472 / 0.472
DURATION (INT/EXH) : 296 / 296

CHECKING FIGURES AT .050 TAPPET RISE
OVERLAP : 12
INTAKE OPENS : 6
EXHAUST CLOSES : 6
INTAKE CLOSES : 42
EXHAUST OPENS : 42
DURATION INTAKE : 228
DURATION EXHAUST : 228
LOBE LIFT INTAKE : .315
LOBE LIFT EXHAUST : .315
INTAKE CENTERLINE : 108
ROCKER ARM RATIO : 1.50

Any other info I may need would be helpful as well. I’ve never broke an engine in before and I’m on my own other than FABO.

 

[sbh126]

One last question, is it necessary that I turn the oil pump before start up? I had planned on it but I cant seem to get the oil pump gear out after I installed it. I'd like to for peace of mind. Any tricks to getting it out?

 

[70aarcuda]

lets see...if i dont prime the engine...and it runs without oil pressure...I have to remove engine from car and fix bearing..and camshaft...

so what is easier?

i would set the timing while it is running at 2000 rpm to about 30 degreees..total...

the holley carb should be fine..just make sure the bowl is full of gas ....

Is the camshaft coated with a moly lube?

Make sure the ignition is working and is firing ....while distributor is out....turn it by hand with coil wire off and key on...see if it produces spark

To get the intermediate shaft out....get BIG Screw driver and turn it counter clock wise on a BB...it should walk up the cam gear..

make sure you all your hoses are tight...and radiator is full of water....have hose available to spray radiator if engine gets hot.....

If you have to shut engine off due to any leaks....shut it off....and went restarting get back to 2000 rpm...

 

[sbh126]

Yes the cam is coated with moly lube. But it has been sitting for 3 or 4 months since it was installed.

I'll check the distributor as soon as it gets here. I ordered one from 440 source because the one I had is from a lean burn system.

I'll try and get the intermediate shaft out in the morning and let you all know how it goes. If I prime the engine this weekend but dont fire it till the next will I need to reprime?

Sorry for all the begginer questions. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Thanks for the good info.

 

[PanGasket]

Headers should come off or you may damage the coating. Better safe than sorry. Those headers tubes will get red hot. As I see it, I'd rather risk damaging the manifolds that i probably wont use again versus the headers I just spend some big bucks on. Just my 2cents no offense meant.

 

[sbh126]

Is there any reason I couldn't put the stock manifolds on upside down so I wouldn't have to pull the headers completely out? I've heard of doing this for turbo aplications so I assume it'd work. Am I right?

 

[sbh126]

Ok, I have another question. Would it damage my heads in any way if I used the stock exhaust manifold and just snugged down 2 bolts on each manifold rather than tightening them all down? Since its only temporary I'm not really worried about exhaust leaks. I could care less if it damages the manifolds.

Oh ya, I was able to get the intermiediate shaft out and primed the engine.

 

[sbh126]

I wrestled the passenger side headers out and went to put the original 77 new yorker manifold on and no dice. It's a good inch too thick to fit between the engine and the firewall. I have yet to check the driver side. So what are my options? Is there a smaller set of exhaust manifolds or are they all about the same? I'd hate to buy a set of manifolds just for the twenty minute break in. I'm starting to wish I had broke the engine in out of the vehicle.

 

[RustyRatRod]

First off, it's your decision about the headers. It is not recommended to break a new engine in with new headers because the untuned engine will overheat the headers and damage the finish. With high dollar headers such as yours, that would suck, but again, that's your call. My biggest concern personally would be to break the engine in with some kind of exhaust. Failure to do this could be the failure of your engine. You need to be able to hear what's going on. If something is wrong and you have uncapped exhaust, you might miss it and the result might prove catastrophic. If you don't have access to manifolds, bite the bullet and have your exhaust finished with the headers in place. Get the tune as close as possible so a minimum amount of tuning is necessary. That way you might can minimize and header damage.