priming the tappets

[RobboMC]

So I've fitted this totally reconditioned engine and I don't know how much oil is left in the tappets.
It's been sitting for around 2 years without running.

Is there any way to get them to prime fast?

I'd prefer not just let it sit and idle while banging the tappets like sledge hammers.
Hindsight is wonderful, I should have checked and refilled them when I had the cams out.

[Tipper]

I'm going to have the same problem on my project engine rebuild which has been on the bench for some time now including a house move.

I have pondered priming the oil-ways after the oil pump with a hand pump so that when it starts up the oil will be at all the bearings and tappets earlier. Probably via the oil pressure switch connection which is downstream of the pump. Didn't progress the idea any further though but I still think it is a good idea for an engine that has been "bench bound" for a time.

[carlvk]

If you take the plugs out and turn it over on the starter would it work?

[Rob Bell]

If you take the plugs out and turn it over on the starter would it work?

That's what I did. Mind you, the tappets still didn't fully quieten down for a couple of minutes when I did eventually start the engine...

[RobboMC]

I guess when they originally built them at the factory they quickly learned from experience to know exactly how noisy and how long to let them run to prime the tappets.
And if they destroyed one or two heads learning that was part of the development costs.

I have read on some Elise engines they have cranked a battery flat then fired the engine with a second battery.


"the tappets still didn't fully quieten down for a couple of minutes when I did eventually start the engine."

So how noisy were they when it was first fired up? And should I be concerned about the noise.

Cam timing has been checked 15 times and is perfect.

[Rob Bell]

If you've heard tappet noise from a K-series, then that was as loud as it was - not very noisy, but noticeable and characteristic. To be honest I didn't notice the noise immediately because I was so happy to have got the engine running in the first place! In fact it took me over 30 seconds to notice the alternator belt squealing because the alternator had partially seized!

Here's the fail cam from when I first started the car:

[RobboMC]

Rob after watching your wonderful fail video I can only add this photo:

Cheers.

If it wasn't for you sharing your experience I probably would not have fitted a new distributor,
then I would have also taken 6 goes to start.

[diesel destroyer]

I'll be starting my new engine soon (I hope) and as it's all new.. I'll be running it in on Comma 10/40w mineral oil..

Been advised by its builder to remove plugs and turn over by hand until there is oil at the top..

You're probably wise to do as I've been advised too.. And let the engine run on idle for a good long while.. To let everything loosen up and bed in..

Don't start it and rev it..

I don't know if there is an 'official' running in process.. But I've been advised:

50 hours on tick over on mineral oil

Change oil and filter and refill with semi synthetic and do 1000 miles at no more than 3000 rpm

Then change oil and filter again for best grade semi synthetic and have it mapped

Been advised the more time you spend running it in.. The longer it will last

At least turning it over by hand you can get a feel of what's going on..

[RobboMC]

One question - why not fully synthetic.

Is it not better?

I plan already to do most of this stuff. So far only run for about one minute. Cranked up the oil pressure for 60 seconds until dash light went out before ignition.
I'm using mineral oil, and will change oil and filter after about 750 miles.

I now need to let it idle for a while to open thermostat ready for bleeding the cooling system.

Thanks for the rev limit recommendation, I hadn't thought of that.
So much that we take for granted when we walk into a car dealer and buy a new car.

[Rob Bell]

Rob after watching your wonderful fail video I can only add this photo:

fit new distributor.jpg

Cheers.

If it wasn't for you sharing your experience I probably would not have fitted a new distributor,
then I would have also taken 6 goes to start.

Glad to be of help!