Engine Started

 Well, I finished the process to ready for engine start today.  Last thing was the spark plug wires.  This was fairly easy but required a couple hours research to figure a way to make the wires look neat.  There are many different wire looms available for this engine but few would work because of the way the aftermarket valve covers were built.  They interfered with the attachment mechanisms.  Finally after returning two systems I bought a verticle mount loom system and had to fabricate a way to attachment to the engine.  I built some rails out of aluminum angle iron that I think worked pretty good.  Take a look.

So with that done I filled the radiator and started the engine.  I had to run the engine a 2000rpm for 20 or 30 minutes.  Everything went well except the engine overheated after 10 minutes and I had to shut it down.  I got up to 240 degrees which is not too bad but after shutting it down it climbed to 250 and one of the freeze plugs blew out.  Got some coolant on the floor but not to much because it appear to have popped out after the engine was off.

Problem with this is why did it overhead.  It has a huge radiator that is more than capable but for some reason it wouldn't cool.  Got to look at it tomorrow.  I also had to get a new freeze plug in which may involve pulling the engine.  If this is the case the schedule will be impacted.  Oh well.  I have nothing but time.

There a six plugs and I looked at the one that popped and another one and to me it appears they were not installed properly but the machine shopped that prepped the engine.  Jeff's not a happy camper today.