Couple of odd start up issues

[73 Mike]

I finally had the time last weekend to sort out my fuel flow issues and get the engine started. For those that don't remember, I bought a junky, low compression crate engine to replace my nice stroker that kind of blew up.:bomb:

The engine started up fairly nicely and was prelubed. RIght off the bat, i noticed that even with the electric drill on the prelube tool, there was a lot of resistance and LOTS of oil flow. I verified this by forgetting to put a filter on at first. Excellent oil flow. :suicide:

On start up, the oil pressure gauge went all the way high and has stayed there. I haven't put a calibrated gauge on it yet to verify that it's really high, but what could produce very high oil pressure? The engine certainly wasn't new but everything looked quite clean and not worn out.

The other odd issue is that on idle, the engine speed seems to be cycling from high to low and back. I haven't put a tach on it yet but I would estimate that it is cycling between 600 RPM to around 1400 RPM. It cycles steadily and takes about 10 seconds from low to high and back to low. Timing/distributor? This is kind of a new one on me. Oh and Bird, I haven't put in the dizzy that you rebuilt yet. I had to change the hot wire first so I used the old distributor to start it.

Could these be related?

 

[73 Mike]

Looks like the ranging idle was mostly timing. Set that and it pretty much went away. The oil pressure is still high but seems to be coming down. Could just be gunked up inside though there was no indication of that in the oil pan or under the valve covers. Never know though.

 

[lars]

An idle condition as you describe is usually caused by a slight lean condition - you can mask it by adding more timing, but you might want to richen it up just a tad and see what that does.
Lars

 

[73 Mike]

An idle condition as you describe is usually caused by a slight lean condition - you can mask it by adding more timing, but you might want to richen it up just a tad and see what that does.
Lars

Funny that you should mention this. After setting up my choke (thanks for the paper by the way) I was still having trouble keep the car idling smoothly. While putting the air cleaner back on I could distinctly hear an air leak somewhere. Didn't have time to track it down but I imagine a leak big enough to hear has likely leaned the mixture out a little.

I did ignore it long ehough to take it out for a quick spin. Not too bad for a $300 engine. Doesn't seem to burn oil and has pretty decent pep. Should do nicely while I build my next motor.