MarcDeSoto Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 My 48 DeSoto does not yet have the wiring harness installed, or brakes, or driveshaft, or pedals. Is it OK to wire the engine up just enough to start it just to check how it's running and maybe motivate me to work on it more? Beside the essentials such as the carburetor, the radiator, pumps, starter, distributor, regulator, and generator, and of course the gauges, is there anything else that I need to install to see how healthy the rebuilt engine is? And I'm sure I need a real battery and not just my 6 volt battery charger. Quote
Don Coatney Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 My engine is running in this photo. I ran it about 10 hours before I installed it in the car. Gave me time to find and fix small leaks and break in the rings. I connected an oil pressure gauge, vacuum gauge, and temperature gauge. No charging system, just an on off switch and a starter button. ] 1 Quote
Uncle-Pekka Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 Well, the way I see it you can start it whenever you want, but once you started it, it's no longer new. Thus you can start a new engine only once... think about it... Kinda same thing as it is with the mushroom: You can eat any mushroom, but certain ones only once in your life... Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 18, 2015 Author Report Posted January 18, 2015 (edited) Don, did you hook up a battery for power or use something else? Where's the radiator? boy, without a muffler, that must have been very loud!!! thanks for the cool pics! Edited January 18, 2015 by MarcDeSoto Quote
pflaming Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 If the engine is out of the frame, it's a lot easier to do as Don did and then fine tune it out on the floor. Much easier to get to the valves and the starter, etc. To me an older engine loses it's new around 5OO +/- miles. Quote
Don Coatney Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 MarcDeSoto, on 18 Jan 2015 - 07:08 AM, said:Don, did you hook up a battery for power or use something else? Where's the radiator? boy, without a muffler, that must have been very loud!!! thanks for the cool pics! 1 Quote
pflaming Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 I have looked at Don's engine many times, each time I see something I missed. For example I just noticed where he mounted the voltage 'resister', and I like his oil filter. To me another example of superior workmanship. TKS for sharing. Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 18, 2015 Author Report Posted January 18, 2015 Don, what would I have to do to mount that full flow Chrysler oil filter providing that I can find one? That's got to be better than my partial flow filter. Quote
Don Coatney Posted January 18, 2015 Report Posted January 18, 2015 MarcDeSoto, on 18 Jan 2015 - 4:50 PM, said:Don, what would I have to do to mount that full flow Chrysler oil filter providing that I can find one? That's got to be better than my partial flow filter. You would have to find a Crashler or Desoto long block engine that has factory provisions incorporated to do so. Does your engine have this raised diamond shaped "boss" on the side of the block to the right of the distributor? Quote
BigDaddyO Posted January 19, 2015 Report Posted January 19, 2015 (edited) My engine is running in this photo. I ran it about 10 hours before I installed it in the car. Gave me time to find and fix small leaks and break in the rings. I connected an oil pressure gauge, vacuum gauge, and temperature gauge. No charging system, just an on off switch and a starter button. ] Sure is quiet. Edited January 19, 2015 by BigDaddyO Quote
AlDeBear Posted January 19, 2015 Report Posted January 19, 2015 Well, the way I see it you can start it whenever you want, but once you started it, it's no longer new. Thus you can start a new engine only once... think about it... Kinda same thing as it is with the mushroom: You can eat any mushroom, but certain ones only once in your life... Uncle-Pekka, That is funny! And true. Thanks for the chuckle. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 19, 2015 Report Posted January 19, 2015 Is this rebuild as old as some of the other stuff you've mentioned? I would take some serious consideration to pulling it apart some to check the bearings. Whatever assembly lube was used might not be in place anymore. The engine in Dads 51 sat for about 10 years and only lasted 172 miles. Now I don't know if the assembly lube went wrong somewhere or if they didn't get it clean or if something got in there while it was in the shop. I think it would be worth the check for the sake of a couple gaskets. Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 19, 2015 Author Report Posted January 19, 2015 Ed, Yes I was thinking I should do that after some 30 years. It turns over fine with a socket wrench. But I guess I could drop the pan and inspect the Lithium assembly lube. If the lithium grease looks old and dried, I guess I should disassemble the engine and reassemble it with fresh lithium before trying to start it. Quote
Ricky Luke Posted January 19, 2015 Report Posted January 19, 2015 Wouldn't hurt to open it up and have a quick look. Also make sure the cork gaskets still look ok and haven't dried out. Marc, if you are only running for a short time, you dont need a radiator. Use a 5 gallon tin with the lid removed and connect the hose with some Poly pipe to steel tank adaptors. Rick Quote
wayfarer Posted January 20, 2015 Report Posted January 20, 2015 Ed, Yes I was thinking I should do that after some 30 years. It turns over fine with a socket wrench. But I guess I could drop the pan and inspect the Lithium assembly lube. If the lithium grease looks old and dried, I guess I should disassemble the engine and reassemble it with fresh lithium before trying to start it. This would also offer the opportunity to make sure that no-one had moved in and setup a home...... Quote
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