Things you missed before first starting your motor.
09-15-2010, 06:06 PM
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Things you missed before first starting your motor. Im wrapping things up to get my motor started for the first time, and know i will inevitably forget something. Next tuesday was the deadline i set for myself for the first drive. Hate to be negative, but probably wont happen, my driveshaft is due in the mail friday, and it needs to be shortened and balanced. And my front tierods are on their way, along with needing to install all my break lines and route my steering linkage. not to mention modify my wire harness[im an electrical engineer, so this parts easy].
So new goal is get the motor to run by tuesday. I've found some very good articles and guides to the harness wiring, but what else did you guys forget that held you back. This is my first time ever tinkering with an ls motor, or better yet setting up and starting a motor from scratch.
Any help would be great, i can't wait to
So new goal is get the motor to run by tuesday. I've found some very good articles and guides to the harness wiring, but what else did you guys forget that held you back. This is my first time ever tinkering with an ls motor, or better yet setting up and starting a motor from scratch.
Any help would be great, i can't wait to
09-15-2010, 06:42 PM
#2
mine fired first time lol I probably got lucky but I share your type of brain I'm majoring in ME and I plan on continuing with an EE since my schooling is free I figure why not?
Since you're an EE I don't see you forgetting anything in the controls department so just make sure you fill and check all the fluids before and check your fuel system.
Oh and something a wise man told me, make sure if you took your coils off the heads that you get them back on the same side. but I think this is something that you probably already have covered just in your natural thinking
Since you're an EE I don't see you forgetting anything in the controls department so just make sure you fill and check all the fluids before and check your fuel system.
Oh and something a wise man told me, make sure if you took your coils off the heads that you get them back on the same side. but I think this is something that you probably already have covered just in your natural thinking
09-15-2010, 07:51 PM
#4
Im wrapping things up to get my motor started for the first time, and know i will inevitably forget something. Next tuesday was the deadline i set for myself for the first drive. Hate to be negative, but probably wont happen, my driveshaft is due in the mail friday, and it needs to be shortened and balanced. And my front tierods are on their way, along with needing to install all my break lines and route my steering linkage. not to mention modify my wire harness[im an electrical engineer, so this parts easy].
So new goal is get the motor to run by tuesday. I've found some very good articles and guides to the harness wiring, but what else did you guys forget that held you back. This is my first time ever tinkering with an ls motor, or better yet setting up and starting a motor from scratch.
Any help would be great, i can't wait to
So new goal is get the motor to run by tuesday. I've found some very good articles and guides to the harness wiring, but what else did you guys forget that held you back. This is my first time ever tinkering with an ls motor, or better yet setting up and starting a motor from scratch.
Any help would be great, i can't wait to
09-15-2010, 08:18 PM
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Yep I definitely have to agree with filling the motor with coolant first. Then fill the radiator. I had my motor air locked when it first started and it got hot real quick.
09-15-2010, 10:32 PM
#6
What about actuallycranking the motor over?
In my situation the engine has been sitting for 2 years now....should I crank the motor over by hand a few revolutions before I go to engage the starter? Or what do you guys recommend.
To the OP, I hope you don't feel this is a thread hijack. Hope it's okay since it's about the same topic....
In my situation the engine has been sitting for 2 years now....should I crank the motor over by hand a few revolutions before I go to engage the starter? Or what do you guys recommend.
To the OP, I hope you don't feel this is a thread hijack. Hope it's okay since it's about the same topic....
09-16-2010, 01:12 AM
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I've read that you should unplug the coils and injectors and crank the engine with the key, this will get the oil flowing and then you can go ahead plug in your coils and injectors and fire it up.
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09-16-2010, 01:20 AM
#8
If you have the time, get the car up on Jacks stands and "Nut" the whole car or everything you worked on.
That is just check and tighten every nut and bolt.. wipe/clean them as you move from rear to front of the car.. That way you will double check and inspect everything else too... you might find other items or problem areas along the way.
That is just check and tighten every nut and bolt.. wipe/clean them as you move from rear to front of the car.. That way you will double check and inspect everything else too... you might find other items or problem areas along the way.
09-16-2010, 05:31 AM
#9
Pull the plugs completely when cranking it over the first time. Crank no longer than 30 seconds at a time until you get oil pressure.
The nut and bolt check is a great idea. First time out I had loose lug nuts.
And pressurize the fuel system and check every connection before doing anything with the motor. That's a tough thing to force yourself to do cause you want to hear the motor turn over, but obviously the only right way to go about it.
Completely removing one of the steam vent plugs when filling the motor with coolant really helps get the air out.
The nut and bolt check is a great idea. First time out I had loose lug nuts.
And pressurize the fuel system and check every connection before doing anything with the motor. That's a tough thing to force yourself to do cause you want to hear the motor turn over, but obviously the only right way to go about it.
Completely removing one of the steam vent plugs when filling the motor with coolant really helps get the air out.
09-16-2010, 08:44 AM
#11
A couple questions:
-Is there no way to prime the motor out of the car? On an old-timey small block you could stick a screwdriver on a drill where the distributor goes.
-What's the best way to clean injectors out before hooking them up?
Having someone who didn't keep up with what you were doing come over and think of possible missed things can help; something you've forgotten might be something they come up with.
-Is there no way to prime the motor out of the car? On an old-timey small block you could stick a screwdriver on a drill where the distributor goes.
-What's the best way to clean injectors out before hooking them up?
Having someone who didn't keep up with what you were doing come over and think of possible missed things can help; something you've forgotten might be something they come up with.
09-16-2010, 09:23 AM
#12
Mine started on the 2nd try. There was a ground on the engine wiring harness back by the oil pressure sender that I forgot to hookup. I grounded it to the back of the block and it started right up. I also bled the air out of my fuel system using the valve on the fuel rail.
I had a fire extinguisher handy just in case!
I had a fire extinguisher handy just in case!
09-16-2010, 03:27 PM
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Check over grounds and vacuum lines. I didn't have a good ground from the block to the body and it started smoking when cranking, then I missed a vacuum port and the engine would fire, run to high idle and die. Had a friend fire it while I hovered over the engine and could hear a whooshng noise, and found the vacuum leak.
Edit - Also key on and off a couple times and let your fuel pump prime all your fuel lines, I found a leak after doing that.
Edit - Also key on and off a couple times and let your fuel pump prime all your fuel lines, I found a leak after doing that.
09-16-2010, 05:43 PM
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Thanks guys i wish i had time are work today to keep up with all the replies. So i'll do my best to respond and ask more questions.
Something i did do, and no i don't remember which went where. In my logic, the coilpacks all go to the same connector[seems as both sides are identical] and the firing order should be based on the single going to that connector and shouldn't matter otherwise.
Are they different? Any details would be great!
My last AN connector came in the mail today, i need to go through and teflon tape all the fittings and tighten for one also time.
Nope no coolant yet, radiator isn't mounted. I through it back in the box after i fitted it and make its mounting brackets.
Thats my plan once i get it all running, through a milk crate in it, and am ready to take it for its first spin around the block.
Good call on the extinguisher! If im not mistaken shouldn't the system bleed the air out on its own if its has a return line?
Its a mail order tune, so that SHOULD be all set.
I almost forgot the vac lines, i need to do a search for a diagram on what goes where. If you guys know of one off hand please link me.
Thanks for all the help guys, and yes im dying to start it, but realized i need to take my time and do it right.
chevyboy91188: Oh and something a wise man told me, make sure if you took your coils off the heads that you get them back on the same side. but I think this is something that you probably already have covered just in your natural thinking
Are they different? Any details would be great!
TomM: Check all your fuel connections again. Once I pressured mine up, I found two small drips on the return line at the -AN fittings.........good luck on the startup....
T,
T,
LS1MCSS: If you haven't already put coolant in it, pull the top hose off the radiator and fill the enginethrough the hose, first. Then re-connect it and fill the radiator. Sometimes the thermostat don't want to open the first time if you don't do that.
bczee: If you have the time, get the car up on Jacks stands and "Nut" the whole car or everything you worked on.
That is just check and tighten every nut and bolt.. wipe/clean them as you move from rear to front of the car.. That way you will double check and inspect everything else too... you might find other items or problem areas along the way.
That is just check and tighten every nut and bolt.. wipe/clean them as you move from rear to front of the car.. That way you will double check and inspect everything else too... you might find other items or problem areas along the way.
FastKat: Mine started on the 2nd try. There was a ground on the engine wiring harness back by the oil pressure sender that I forgot to hookup. I grounded it to the back of the block and it started right up. I also bled the air out of my fuel system using the valve on the fuel rail.
I had a fire extinguisher handy just in case!
I had a fire extinguisher handy just in case!
Frost: Don't forget VATS removal from your PCM!
MonteFastChevy: Check over grounds and vacuum lines. I didn't have a good ground from the block to the body and it started smoking when cranking, then I missed a vacuum port and the engine would fire, run to high idle and die. Had a friend fire it while I hovered over the engine and could hear a whooshng noise, and found the vacuum leak.
Edit - Also key on and off a couple times and let your fuel pump prime all your fuel lines, I found a leak after doing that.
Edit - Also key on and off a couple times and let your fuel pump prime all your fuel lines, I found a leak after doing that.
Thanks for all the help guys, and yes im dying to start it, but realized i need to take my time and do it right.
09-16-2010, 06:37 PM
#19
09-16-2010, 06:38 PM
#20
