VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 1929 Chevrolet Test Fire Countdown...

my punch list is down to UNDER 25 items left to go, and most of those are checks and steps for test firing

I have set a date of Next weekend as the date i plan on filling fluids, and attempting to fire it up !!

this week will be doing all my final checks and double checks. 

Did a double check this weekend, checked all hardware connections to ensure everything was tight & secure, checked all electrical connections and wired to ensure they were solid and secured.

Did some touch up on the black paint, few dings, scratches, etc...

Working on my check list before i try to fire up the car... let me know if i missed anything or of anything is wrong. just really do NOT want to mess anything up, lot of time and effort in this car, and ready to get it running and driving

FILL AND TOP OFF COOLANT
..... 11.5 QT 50/50 GREEN ANTIFREEZE W/ DISTILLED WATER
FILL AND TOP OFF OIL
..... 5 QT 10W-30
FILL AND TOP OFF TRANSMISSION
..... 2.5 PT 600WT
OIL IN U-JOINT
..... 4OZ 600WT
OIL IN REAR END
..... FILL TO FILL PORT HOLE
FUEL IN FUEL TANK
..... FEW GALLONS OF REGULAR NON-ETHANOL
CHECK TIMING:
..... STOCK: FLOAT: .75", SET TIMING TO 12 DEG, SPARK PLUG GAP: .024", POINT GAP: .018"
..... VCCA: FLOAT: .75", SET TIMING TO 18 DEG, SPARK PLUG GAP: .040"-.045", POINT GAP: .018"
CHECK CARBURETOR SETTINGS
..... OPEN THE IDLE ADJUSTING SCREW FROM 3/4 TO 1 1/4 TURNS
..... WITH THE HAND THROTTLE ON THE INSTRUMENT BOARD CLOSED, SET THE THROTTLE LEVER ADJUSTING SCREW SO THAT THE MOTOR WILL RUN APPROXIMATELY 300 REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE
..... IF THE MOTOR RUNS TOO FAST, BACK THE ADJUSTING SCREW OUT. IF TOO SLOW, TURN IN UNTIL THE PROPER SPEED IS OBTAINED.
POLARIZE GENERATOR
..... ALL WIRES ATTACHED AND THE ELECTROLOCK OFF
..... ATTACH A JUMPER WIRE TO ONE TERMINAL ON THE CUTOUT
..... TOUCH THE OTHER END OF THE JUMPER WIRE TO THE OPPOSITE TERMINAL ON THE CUTOUT (YOU SHOULD GET A SPARK)
..... "GEN" TERMINAL ON THE CUTOUT TO THE "BATT" TERMINAL ON THE CUTOUT
..... DO THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GENERATOR IS POLARIZED
TURN OVER ENGINE TO PRIME FUEL PUMP (FILL GLASS BOWL)
..... FEW SECONDS ON THEN WAIT (DO NOT HOLD DOWN PEDAL FOR TOO LONG)
FIRE UP ENGINE
ROUGH TUNE - SET CARBURETOR: IDLE & ACCEL & ADJUST TIMING FOR SMOOTH RUNNING
LET ENGINE WARM UP AND GET TO TEMP
..... CURE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, PIPE, & MUFFLER PAINT
..... (NORMAL OPERATING TEMP OR 350 DEG FOR 10 MIN) !! WITH VENTILATION !!
WATCH/ CHECK FOR
..... ENGINE OVERHEAT
..... FLUID (WATER, GAS, OIL) LEAKS
..... VACUUM/AIR LEAKS
TEST GENERATOR AS STOCK INPUT & OUTPUT VOLTAGE & AMPS
..... 8.2 VOLTS AT 1,700 RPM GENERATOR SPEED COLD, AND 7.7 VOLTS AT 1,800 GENERATOR SPEED HOT
..... ADJUST USING THIRD BRUSH TO MEET ABOVE SETTINGS
..... OPTIONAL GEN TEST:
..... ADJUST THE THIRD BRUSH SO THAT IT IS ABOUT 4 COMM. BARS APART FROM THE MAIN BRUSHAT THAT SETTING YOU SHOULD SHOW A MAX. OF AROUND 10 AMPS, FAST IDLE, LIGHTS OFF

I'd have a timing light attached. The rough timing set with the engine off will be good enough to get it started but likely won't be right for actual operation.

Before actually trying to start it, I'd pull the plugs and crank it for a bit to get some oil moving through the passages. I assume that you lubed everything well when you assembled it. A small shot of oil in the plug holes before cranking wouldn't hurt either. It will just burn off as soon as it fires.

thanks....

Engine was lubed/coated for long term storage on reassembly. also put in a little oil in the plug holes for security

I will have my 6v timing light by my side on fire up when i do the fine tuning

i have a priming tool i use to prime the pump and get oil flowing :) quick and easy process for that one