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]

Those have had the chambers worked far more than SuperHawks!

I LIKE your heads!

My heads are the AA 2.0L china casting but valves, seats, springs reworked by HAM.

IIRC the RAT / HAM are the AMC 1.8L casting (better quality history) but then welded and reworked to mimic the 2.0L generally.

I’m going to go with Emery here - if valves are sealing properly (they will be) - I wouldn’t tear down the heads. RAT & HAM are top notch and I don’t see that their work needs to be double checked or re-done.

I guess maybe I’m not so fuddy duddie after all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I'm actually in agreement with you. I did say "don't learn how on these heads" and provided a method of verification that did not require tear down.

I STILL want to see the ports however!

Badly! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devil.gif)

[Superhawk996]

I'm actually in agreement with you. I did say "don't learn how on these heads" and provided a method of verification that did not require tear down.

My bad. For some reason I read it the opposite; ie now is the time to learn. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)