Starting My 35

P

PeterinNH

Senior Member
I've now have my 35 convertible sedan 97% completed but are yet to start her
up. I've been periodically turning over the engine as I've slowly completed the
restoration. I would really appreciate it if those of you who've been down the
road a number of times could give some good, accurate advice concerning
getting her running for the first time. The now deceased friend whom I bought
the car from had the engine completely rebuilt. I look forward to hearing from
a few of you as I'd like to get a few local rides before Mother Nature opens the
winter door again.

Peter
 
My go to.....


1st Distributor Make sure the distributor is set up. I NOW have my own Sun machine but a trip to Michael at Third Gen Auto, Charlie Schwindler - CharlieNY, Skip Haney and have them set your distributor up.


2nd Coil Send to Skip Haney in Punta Gorda and make sure its spot on.


3rd Carburetor & Fuel Pump Both go to Charlie Schwindler Aka CharlieNY for his magic touch.


A "Good" 6V battery.


All the above and you are 95% ready to run.....The only thing left would be good clean fuel and a "NEW" condenser. When all the above is done, a little shot of Marvel Mystery oil in the cylinders. Leave your plugs out and spin the motor until you get verified oil pressure. Once you have oil pressure. Install the plugs and put the juice to it!!!




Good luck with it Sir.
 
Peter as Robert described above make sure your oil pressure is increasing with the spark plugs out which also should get the fuel to the carb . You may want to add a small amount of gas down the carb when you’re ready to begin trying to start in order to not wind the starter for too long especially if the fuel pump is an old rebuild. Personally I love the sound of that first fire up!
 
I pretty much did what rockfla suggested .. mine was a 100% restoration so everything was "new".. even with that, the anxiety is high. I recall wondering what day and what time I should try it? should I ask my wife to observe? etc... in the end, I just walked out and started it, and drove it to the end of the driveway. remember to give it some choke when you start it and you may have to wait for the fuel system to load up/ fill the float tank
 
rockfla said:
My go to.....

Once you have oil pressure. Install the plugs and put the juice to it!!!

Good luck with it Sir.
Click to expand...

Rockfla's advice is spot on. I'd add that once started, get the RPMs up to about 2,000 for a few minutes. Don't just idle it. Shut it off and break it in on the road. Don't do multiple garage runs, your rings may not seat well if you do.
 
To expand on GlennPM's take


Once you get it running, as Glenn mentioned, vary the speeds and let it get to a good normal operating temperature and the rings set in. Be sure you 'heat cycle" the torque on you heads. After the first run and shut down, let it cool down and check the torque on the heads. Then crank it back up and run it back up to a good normal operating temperature again. AGAIN, let it cool a second time and re-check the torque on the heads. Then do it a third time....after that, you should be good to go!!!
 
kevinshea said:
I pretty much did what rockfla suggested .. mine was a 100% restoration so everything was "new".. even with that, the anxiety is high. I recall wondering what day and what time I should try it? should I ask my wife to observe? etc... in the end, I just walked out and started it, and drove it to the end of the driveway. remember to give it some choke when you start it ….
Click to expand...

:- ) Yup, know what you’re talking about. I’m not a nervous type but situations like that and my hands start shaking. No shaking, but felt the same way when I first shifted my Columbia that I rebuilt and it worked perfectly….
 
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