Cranked up oil pressure - I prefilled the oil filter cannister so it came up quickly! I need to run down to the station and pick up some petrol, then it's just about ready to make some noise!
Fired right up, but before I could get the timing light on it or anything it died - I think my fuel pump crapped out - it was the old one off of Buzz, and the reason I replaced it off Buzz was it would quit on me - used to be I could get it going again by tapping on it, but no go this time. (15) VID 20201209 141245 - YouTube
So, today was the break in run, my friend Dan suggested I should use curve #7 on the CSI distributor, so I set it there - could not be easier - turn the key on and count the blinks. It was set at three....you need a tiny little screwdriver to change the setting, I turned it 4 clicks then checked it again - 7 is the lucky number! It fired right up and after I adjusted the carb needle a bit it settled down nicely - it's not as smooth as I'd like free running like this, but then I have no idea what needle is in the carb right now - I should probably check that! I use this same carb on all the engines I run in the stand, 998's to 1410's....so it won't be right for all of them, just something to let me run in the cam. I let it run for 20 min at 2K RPM as that's what the cam maker recommends - the temp stayed right at 165-170. I'm running an old radiator off my '89 Racing Green in the test stand so sometimes it runs a little hotter than if it had an aluminum, so I have an extra electric fan outside the radiator if I need it - it's cold enough today that wasn't an issue. Engine sounds sweet, although when you move the camera in close all these A series engines sound pretty thrashy...still it ran sweet. All that's left to do now is let it cool off then load it in the crate to go home on Monday. Then it's up to the owner, but I'll bet he'll take a little time off the Moke project to get it back in his car. I'm anxious to hear how it does once it's back in the car. (18) Brad's 1275 engine break in run - YouTube
No, it was working fine. I think the carb was way out of adjustment. I also set the timing correctly, it was pretty retarded. It fairly purrs now..... I'll drain the coolant then pull it out of the engine stand so I can load it in the crate tomorrow and ship it out on Monday.
No rest for me, I need to get it crated up for shipping and shipped out, and I need to get going on this white car and I need to take the transmission off of the 998 and get it crated up and shipped out too, and....and.....and.....
OK, ready to leave the nest and head back home on Monday.....the owner has been working on his Moke, he'll have to shift back over to his Mini now so it will be running by Xmas, but it should be an easy install for him. I'm sorry it took so long but between machine shop delays and other projects I had already promised it took about 2 weeks longer than I anticipated. still, given the pandemic and all its associated woes. not bad - 2 months and two weeks door to door. Pulled it out of the stand... Strapped it down and then screwed the top back on. Then I loaded the starter, distributor and a few other odds and ends into the crate and put the lids on top. The truck has already been arranged and should be here tomorrow to load it up. I'll need to get up early and move my green classic, my small trailer and my blue MINI out of the drive so he can wheel it down to the truck. In the meantime since my shop space is at a premium, I loaded the next engine into the test stand, it's actually supposed to be in good shape, so my plan is to fire it up and if it runs well, doesn't smoke and has good compression I will clean it up and put it in the green car as is. The engine and trans both in the green car need to be rebuilt - the engine is smoking pretty good on upshifts now, leaking oil and the trans grunches going into second when cold, and also has a noisy final drive bearing. The only thing I might do to the newer engine is check to see what final drive it has - if it's not the 3:1 drive I have a spare I can install. My green car currently has a 3:44 and it makes 4500 rpm at 70 mph, the 3:1 will drop that to 3800 making it more comfortable on highway runs. It may already have a 3:1 tho as that was common on this later model engine.
And off it went a couple days ago - I forgot to post the pic, in fact he should have it tomorrow. The same guy came out - he and I are on a first name basis now since he's been to my shop 4 times now!