>After 15months into this, and rebuilding everything one step at a time, the
>kids and I reached the point last night where everything was in order to
>turn the key for the first time. Double checked everything, and hit the
>ignition. Fired right up and ticked over smoothly at about 2000 RPM. No
>stuttering. YEEEHAAAAA! Oil pressure about 50 after it warmed up. Kids and
>dad dancing around the garage cheering and shouting. Neighbors wondering
>what all the racket at 11 at night is all about. Oldest daughter still only
>concerned about what kind of sound system it'll have (only the beautiful
>note of the engine.)
Good to hear you got it running. I know that feeling. I did the same thing last
night also. I'm doing a frame-off on my TR3A and have the chasis all back
together with the engine and drive train. Because I've had so many problems
getting this engine back together correctly (seems I've had to do almost
everything twice), I decided to try to fire it up before the body goes back on
--- just in case! This engine hasn't run in 14 years, so I wanted to make sure
I didn't miss anything. Well I'm glad I did because I found a problem with the
camshaft timing. I don't know how it happened, but I somehow installed the
camshaft advanced 90 degrees. So, after a couple hours to correct that problem,
I hooked up the temperature and oil pressure gauges, rigged up a fuel line to a
gas can, hooked a battery up to the coil and starter, put gas in the float
bowls, and give it a try. After only about 2 turns, she fired right up and
purred like a kitten. At that point, I had a similar experience with the
nighbors, but in my case, the kids weren't around and the wife didn't care,
just so long as I didn't blow anything up!
After warming up, maintained about 55 psi oil pressure at idle. Don't know
about the temp --- got a problem there. The gauge was not registering for some
reason. I also need to do a little work on the carbs. She was running a little
rich and seeping a little gas from the chokes. But nothing major that can't
wait 'till later. Now I can continue on with the bodywork.
Jeff Williamson
Belleville, MI
'58 TR3A
'60 TR3A
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