Update on new engine start
Hi Guys,
Some of you know I'm getting close to the next step in the two year long engine rebuild + other stuff for the stock, 167K miles, 03 MM I bought used in July of '19.
I've added:
Rebuilt engine - all critical parts upgraded...honed, blah blah.
Vortech v7-jt supercharger (ADTR racing SC kit inc "bigger" fuel pump and injectors) Chris Adams at ADTR is an awesome guy btw.
Eagle Forged crank (which req'd a new flexplate with 8 bolt holes)
Rebuilt, with shift kit, transmission
Stainless works headers & cat back exhaust
Cooling mod at back of heads
New radiator
Ride tech coils in front and shock in the back
Rebuilt brakes
Replaced all the engine sensors
Added RealAuto gauges in pillar pod ; wideband, fuel pressure and boost and real oil p in low dash pod
New radiator
New Upper control arms
New Engine and transmission mounts
New PS pump
Other stuff I've now forgotten
Anyways, the work is all done except I need one more gallon of coolant (yes, using the famous burp procedure), which will go in today.
It looks like there are no ps , brake, trans, engine oil or coolant leaks (yet).
Marty O & Val, who are terrific, have sent me a SCT, and a base tune which will go in today.
For start up I am going to do the following:
1) Crank the engine with no spark and no gas and hopefully see the oil pressure rise and stabilize, indicating that system is working.
2) Look for any leaks and/or fix anything wrong at this point
3) Start the car. Let it idle; look for leaks, fires, etc.
4) Shut down the car
5) Fix anything that needs it
6) Put on new tires
7) Either transport or limp car to dyno and work with Marty to dynamic tune
or
7.1) Do dynamic tune with Marty on the road via cell phone hotspot and laptop/SCT.
8) Change oil
9) Break in the engine over about 500 miles
10) Change the oil
FYI - I used Blazen's approach for pre-oiling the 2 yr 2 month non run engine; I pressurized 6 qts of engine oil with a hand pump and sent it up through a port on the oil filter adapter. I think this worked as it took a bit for the dip stick to register and oil...which it eventually did.
So...there you have it. One snag, my good friend and consultant who has helped me in many ways has been sick (covid) for ~ 10 days now. I believe he is on the mend, but I'm not going to crank the engine (step 1 above) until he is ok and here for the event. Who else will hold the fire extinguisher (CO2 type)?
I welcome any and all questions, advise, cuss words, whatever. Please write. Thanks!
'03 Silver Birch. Stock rebuilt 4.L 32V DOHC, V7-JT blower w/ADTR racing supercharger kit, Shift kit in transmission, stainless works long pipes and cat backs, Ridetech coil-overs front, shocks in back (ADTR kit). Rebuilt calipers, upgraded front rotors, OEM Mercury wheels, [boost, oil P, WB fuel/air, and fuel pressure] gauges. Build duration was Dec 2019 to Mar 2022. 8 rib serp belt upgrade i/p.