Engine start check list

[japollon]

Somewhere I recall seeing a engine first start checklist. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks, Joel

[GoDadGo]

1. Fire Extinguisher!
2. Separate Detachable Fuel Source!
3. Smart Friends To Assists & Look For Trouble!
4. Willing Wife To Film!

https://youtu.be/p-pvogd2Bj8

[phil1734]

Oil.

[mike223]

Don't trap yourself and all your stuff in the garage.

Get it outside and clear.

[NAZ]

Make sure to have plenty of adult beverages on hand to celebrate a successful 1st start. And if there is no video to share with us it never happened.

[Fixit]

2nd's and 1st's....

Fire Extinguisher
Detachable fuel source (with plenty of quantity!)

Easy & Fast/Safe way to cut ALL electrical power
Coolant in the engine/system
Drip/Catch pan(s)
Sacrificial rag/T-shirt to stuff in the carb/intake (choke out the engine if needed)
Fresh/Hot battery
Timing light


If this is the 1st fire-up for the engine, and it's a "traditional" build (flat/hyd lifter) add a bottle of zinc additive to the engine oil. No joke about keeping it running for 15-20 minutes @ +/- 1500 r's for proper cam break-in, and today's oil doesn't have enough zinc in it (sacrificial element) for the new parts to get to know each other.
- Be prepared for a few possible leaks.. (drip pans)
- Once fired up keep it running
- unless it's hemorrhaging from somewhere, keep it running and top off the leak as needed. Plug the holes later.
- anticipate some smoke from paint, oil on stuff, whatever.
- try not to be too stupid with your "happy dance... it's alive"... someone will be recording it!!

[cnutting]

X2 on NAZ's suggestion (x3?).

Start it outside, second or third set of eyes is helpful as there are a lot of areas to watch. I just put fuel in the tank. Did double duty to check for leaks in the whole system.

Have fun and enjoy the sound from those 289 pipes!

Keep an eye on your temperatures, double check your exhaust bolts after a couple heat cycles.