6 replies to this topic

[mk=john]

Hello all

As many of you know, I have had my 850cc mini engine rebuilt, for my 1960 mini. I have a spare rebuilt 850cc cylinder head which has unleaded valve seats etc.

I have never started a rebuilt engine before, so need some advice as I am a bit nervous about messing up. I need to get the car running before Winter sets in!

I have an oil pressure gauge, and the ylinder head has a provision for fitting a water temp gauge.

Does anyone have a list of pre start checks, and also things I should do while the engine is running for the first time? I am aware i need to keep an eye out for the oil pressure to be at least 50psi, to watch out for an exhaust down pipe getting too hot, and that the engine should run at around 2000 rpm in order to bed the cam.

I do not have an rpm gauge, so whats the bet way to monitor and set the rpm?

Also, can this be a one man job?
Any help would be great

Cheers
John

[Cooperman]

Make sure all the basic settings are as correct as you can get them. In particular the valve clearances should be 0.012" cold, the static distributor timing should be as the manual (5 deg BTDC I think will be fine). Points at 0.015". Set carb linkages as well as you can so that the choke works, the throttle cable has a smalll amount of slack witht hrottle closed. Oil & coolant topped up to correct levels. Thin oil in carb dashpot, carb piston rises easily.
Take out the plugs, connect the battery to another battery or by jump leads to another car.
Crank the engine with the plugs out until you get a good oil pressure. Put the plugs in and start the engine. Run it at slightly higher than normal tickover for about 3 to 5 minutes, then switch off and check for leaks, oil level, etc. re-start and run at high tickover for about 20 minutes. If necessary adjust the timing by slightly swinging the distributor, but don't over-advance the timing. The carb may need adjustment of mixture.

[mk1leg]

the first thing to do is remove the big banjo nut that holds the oil filter pipe and pour some oil down this will help prime the pump as if its been standing for a while since the rebuild the oil would of drained out once you've done this pop the banjo back (don't forget the copper washers) then remove the leads from the coil and remove the plugs and then turn the engine over and see gauge for the pressure once you've got a decent reading pop the plugs in and reconnect the coil and try and start the engine.............

[jaydee]

Follow carefully the advice above for oil priming, settings etc.. Cooperman and mk1leg said pretty much everything.

In reply to this question:

I do not have an rpm gauge, so whats the bet way to monitor and set the rpm?

Do yo have one of those strobe lights with the RPM function really usefull to set the advanced timing?

Just connect it, and while you assistant is keeping the revs (never let it idle!!!) rise the idle speed till you can see the strobe gauge saying at least 2.5k rpm.

2k rpm sounds a bit slow for me to bed a camshaft in, keeping a new engine revving steady a that rpm will be difficult especially if the advance timing isnt really spot-on, due the dizzy curve.
Raise/drop the revs by 500rpm each 5 minutes, flush the old oil and replace the filter after the cam bedding.

Good luck

[mk=john]

I'm pretty darn nervous about this....the heart of my little mini is at stake! They say the first five minutes is make or break for the cam, right?

John

[jaydee]

Dont be nervous! You can always switch off the engine if something goes wrong

Edited by jaydee, 03 October 2011 - 10:12 PM.

[Cooperman]

The real issue with the cam running-in is mainly when high-lift cam is fitted together with high-rate valve springs. When manufactured new the running-in was never considered in respect of cams. At the end of the line the engine was started, run for a very short time to check for leaks or mis-fire, then the car was driven off the production line and parked. If you ever went to Longbridge and saw the old Mini line you would know that this is what happened.
Don't be fearful of initial start-up. Just start it and run it as suggested above and you'll be fine.
It's very satisfying when it first fires up. I've done literally hundreds over the last 50 years and it's still a thrill when the engine first starts.