1.7 Rebuild First Start Up Advice, 1.7 Start Up on stand Options

[Robroe]

Have 73 1.7 bought in pieces. Engine has been rebuilt and ‘souped up’ however I don’t know what internals were installed. New crank, cam, pistons, rods and heads. but I don’t know which ones. Weber 44 idf carbs. Never had oil in it and been stored unstarted for 10 yrs in climate control. I’ve added oil by slow dripping 2 quarts through the oil pressure sensor hole. Oil dripped out of the rockers so I’m pretty sure it got some oil as pre lube. It’s on a home built test stand with the transmission mounted with the starter.

I’m trying to turn the engine over by hand with the plugs out. Have squirted oil in each plug hole. I’m able to turn the engine by hand about 45 degrees and it gets harder to spin so can’t go any further. Would it be a good idea to pull the rocker arms to see if the builder installed some wild cam without checking valve/piston clearance? It doesn’t feel like internals are hitting each other but who knows? Would hate to pull the heads if I don’t have to. Any thoughts before I break something?

Rob Roe
Newbie

[technicalninja]

I DON"T like the raised 95.95.

I want the tops of my pistons smooth as a "baby's ass"

The valve reliefs look rough too.

Look like inexpensive forged to me.

I'd fully tear down.

Remove heads, lock jugs in case with crossbars (you can use wood here, just trying to lock jugs to case) check deck heights and stroke.

Now you know how big it is...

If it's a stroker (more than 71) I'd fully tear down because of it.

Strokers REQUIRE special tricks for clearance of the crank/rods/camshaft and are a significant increase in complexity for the builder.

If it comes out stock 2.0l (71) I might check "feel" of the assembly and re-assemble.

If you have a stroker there you hit the jackpot!

I'd LOVE to "find" a 78mm stroke with flat tops at 96mm bore. That is a 2255 and is a VERY GOOD combo to have.

Take pictures and post on here. You will get opinions, lots of opinions...

[Robroe]

I DON"T like the raised 95.95.

I want the tops of my pistons smooth as a "baby's ass"

The valve reliefs look rough too.

Look like inexpensive forged to me.

I'd fully tear down.

Remove heads, lock jugs in case with crossbars (you can use wood here, just trying to lock jugs to case) check deck heights and stroke.

Now you know how big it is...

If it's a stroker (more than 71) I'd fully tear down because of it.

Strokers REQUIRE special tricks for clearance of the crank/rods/camshaft and are a significant increase in complexity for the builder.

If it comes out stock 2.0l (71) I might check "feel" of the assembly and re-assemble.

If you have a stroker there you hit the jackpot!

I'd LOVE to "find" a 78mm stroke with flat tops at 96mm bore. That is a 2255 and is a VERY GOOD combo to have.

Take pictures and post on here. You will get opinions, lots of opinions...