After getting the radiator back (which turned out great), and installing it along with a proper thermostat housing, all systems were go for the initial start up.
Turning over the engine with the new starter motor for 30 or 40 seconds produced a good oil pressure...it was time for the real thing. Connecting the ignition and fuel pump to the battery, the fuel pump began ticking away until the float bowls filled. I held the choke with one hand and pulled the starter with the other. After a couple of revolutions the engine roared to life. Yahoo! No clunks or weird noises just a little water leak from the heater valve gasket. Wow a 50-year old engine roaring back to life...a great feeling!
Surprisingly the fiberglass exhaust wrap smoked quite a bit, but the only real problem was the idle. I couldn't get the idle below 2500rpm and after a couple of minutes I shut the engine off. Although the fast idle didn't wipe the smile off my face, I did want to get the problem solved before continuing with initial break-in.
Considering I rebuilt the carbs. myself I figured the problem lay with them. Checking the internet for possible causing of fast idle and S.U. carbs., the solution seemed to be with the throttle discs. The throttle discs need to be fully closed when at rest. The discs themselves are even beveled slightly so the disc can seal better in the venturi . I checked my discs and found them both open slightly and one disc was installed with the bevel the wrong way. I had drilled the holes in the new throttle shafts (for the idle stops) slightly off where they should have been. I filled in the holes with easy weld and redrilled the holes in the proper position. Now, holding the venturi up to the light with the disc closed showed them both fully closed. I reinstalled the carbs. and double checked to be sure the jets were centered, nice solid clunk when the damper piston is released.
The next day I tried again. The engine started right up and idled down to 1200 with the choke on, good. Now just wait till it gets to operating temperature and set the idle and timing. After a couple of minutes all is well the engine is running fine, with good oil pressure and the temp is rising slowly. Then, the engine dies, turns over but won't start. After checking all electrical connections I check the float bowls and they are dry. Then I realize there is no noise from the fuel pump. The fuel pump has died... after 10minute a newly rebuilt fuel pump is done...$#%@!
Oh well I guess better now then literally down the road.
Oh well I guess better now then literally down the road.
I sent an email off to the fuel pump re builder guy and he says he'll make it right, so off to the post office I go.
Although I didn't get a chance to set up the engine , I am happy with the initial engine start. One major step closer to getting back on the road.
Here's a video after getting the fuel pump and Carbs worked out:
