Building Cobra with 351w

[MarkC]

Got the enigne built now Im building the car. How long can leave the enigne site without starting it up before its a issue?? Anybody have a idea where to get a dumy shaft to turn the oil pump over prior to starting?? Maybe cut off the end of my old oil pump??

[SoTxButler]

Just get yourself a "oil pump priming tool" from Summit or Jegs and use your drill. Make sure you know which way to turn (clockwise or counter-clockwise) for your engine. Just pull Dizzy, put tool in the hole and turn with drill.

[timsullivan]

351W primer tool needs to be turned counterclockwise to prime the oil system properly.

[133bus]

If it sits any time at all I would pump some oil throw the system...I just took the gear off the old distributor and used a drill to turn it...worked great.(destroyed the gear though)..Steve

[nymathboy]

How long the engine sits and will be ok depends on a few factors.

-Where is the engine sitting? Will it collect condensation?
-Have you oiled the engine?
-How often will you lube the engine?
-Are all the holes plugged? Nasty insects and crap can get into it. Not to mention a five year old putting a screw into the carb.
-Are you able to put a socket on the front of the engine and turn it over by hand every so often? If so you should do this every so often. Make sure you remove the wrench and socket. another member forget to do this and now has a $8,000 boat anchor.


If you can answer the above questions with the best possible reply then the engine can sit for years and will be ok.

[TButtrick]

1/4" hex, 1/4" drive deep socket, 6" 1/4 drive extension, and a drill running CCW. Electrical tape the socket to the extension.

[SoTxButler]

Be sure to TAPE them together!!!!!!!

[vector1]

i started a production 289 engine after it sat for 15 yrs with minimal amount of prep, and some engine builders use different lubes whenever they build an engine depending on wether it is going to start up soon or sit for awhile. keep it sealed up for sure and off the concrete.