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3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2019 8:21 pm
by Aaron_
Hello everyone!

I'm finishing my complete 3.5 rebuild.

So couple of questions, has anyone more tips & tricks and do and don'ts. before I tottaly mess up :D

Tommorow I will adjust the tappet preload, and will also fill the oilpump with grease.

I will problably use the valvoline vr1 20W50 oil. Should I also use this oil for running in the engine?
More tips on first start and running in?

I'll post some pictures when I figure out how to do so :)

Thanks in advance,

Greetings Aaron

Re: 3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 7:43 am
by DaveEFI
The BL manual says Vaseline rather than grease for the oil pump. I suppose it might dissolve in oil rather more easily?
I'd also turn it over on the starter (plugs out) until the oil pressure light goes out.

Re: 3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2019 6:56 pm
by GDCobra
DaveEFI wrote:
Tue Aug 06, 2019 7:43 am
The BL manual says Vaseline rather than grease for the oil pump. I suppose it might dissolve in oil rather more easily?
I'd also turn it over on the starter (plugs out) until the oil pressure light goes out.
+1 for Vaseline (if you can spare some)it is petroleum jelly and so disolves in the oil, don't know where grease would end up.

Re: 3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 7:11 am
by Mc Tool
And lashings of bacon

Re: 3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 12:07 pm
by scudderfish
Where are you? If you're close to Harpenden I can lend you the tool to spin the pump using an electric drill.

Re: 3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2019 8:49 pm
by ChrisJC
I've always primed the oil by pulling the distributor and spinning the pump drive with a long bolt with a slot ground in the head.

Chris.

Re: 3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2019 3:46 pm
by Aaron_
Thanks for the tips guys!

Currently adjusting the tappet preload :)

Re: 3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 5:52 pm
by GDCobra
ChrisJC wrote:
Wed Aug 07, 2019 8:49 pm
I've always primed the oil by pulling the distributor and spinning the pump drive with a long bolt with a slot ground in the head.

Chris.
That's pretty much what the "special tool" is. Even with that though I've never been able to prime the pump without first packing with Vaseline, possibly my remote filter does not help.

Re: 3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 8:44 am
by ChrisJC
A remote filter is handy because you can pour oil down the hoses to fill the pump before trying to prime it.

Chris.

Re: 3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 5:02 pm
by DaxLaxV8
The remove the dizzy and prime the oil pump with an electric drill is a MUST! Put the ignition on and wait for the orange light to go off as you spin up the pump. Take it from some one who knows the cost of that pump not priming quickly!
You can use a 12mm socket and a long socket extension.
Did you check that the pressure relief piston in the pump moves freely. They are renown for picking up.

If the engine doesn't start quickly it is likely the distributor is 180 degrees out. Remove it and move the pick up arm half a turn. Try again.

These engines are known for airlocks. Switch the internal heater on full blast. Start up with the radiator or expansion tank cap off and wait for all the air bubbles to stop. Put the cap back on and rev the engine.

Also, run the engine at 2500 rpm four times for 5 minutes each. Avoid tickover during this initial phase! Then drive car to put load on the engine to bed the pistons; all as recommended by professional engine builders.

If in doubt, switch it off!

Good luck!

Re: 3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 5:41 pm
by Aaron_
DaxLaxV8 wrote:
Sat Aug 17, 2019 5:02 pm
The remove the dizzy and prime the oil pump with an electric drill is a MUST! Put the ignition on and wait for the orange light to go off as you spin up the pump. Take it from some one who knows the cost of that pump not priming quickly!
You can use a 12mm socket and a long socket extension.
Did you check that the pressure relief piston in the pump moves freely. They are renown for picking up.

If the engine doesn't start quickly it is likely the distributor is 180 degrees out. Remove it and move the pick up arm half a turn. Try again.

These engines are known for airlocks. Switch the internal heater on full blast. Start up with the radiator or expansion tank cap off and wait for all the air bubbles to stop. Put the cap back on and rev the engine.

Also, run the engine at 2500 rpm four times for 5 minutes each. Avoid tickover during this initial phase! Then drive car to put load on the engine to bed the pistons; all as recommended by professional engine builders.

If in doubt, switch it off!

Good luck!
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
If everything goes as planned, the first start up will be this weekend

Re: 3.5 Engine rebuild

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2019 1:12 pm
by DaxLaxV8
Aaron
How did the start up go?
Carl