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MG MGA - Test starting engine

Greetings all,

Hope some of you made it to the recent MGA Gathering at Seven Springs. A very nice event. Cudos to the planners!

I'm hoping to crank up my engine/post rebuild prior to setting the body. Does any one have a check-list or how-to regarding starting an engine that isn't all-together hooked up, i.e. starting/running it while on the frame? I'd prefer trying it out now so if there are any issues, I can work them out while the body is still off. While at the MGA Gathering, one of the workshop leaders said the best way to "run-in" a new engine, was once started, bring it to 3000 RPMs and hold the run-in there for about fifteen minutes. He also suggested having some help to keep an eye out for oil leakage and/or other issues while it's running. Any thoughts on that? Thanks!
Robert Maupin

Correct. For a new cam and tappets I run it at least 2500 rpm for 20 minutes immediately on initial startup. This keeps lots of oil flowing over the cam lobes while the tappets are (should be) rotating continuously to wear in and mate the tappets to the lobes. If you need to pause for anything during this process, shut it off and do whatever you need, then start it up and resume the same speed to complete the designated timed run. Of course you will need the cooling system hooked up to run that long.
Barney Gaylord

Crank it without plugs until you get full oil pressure.
There is not a lot of load on the starter without plugs. you can check for major oil leaks prior to starting.
R J Brown

This thread was discussed between 19/07/2008 and 21/07/2008

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