Getting a 318 running?
"Depending" (on what you have) it doesn't take much to fire an engine
1---Is this a stick or automatic? If it's automatic, the easiest thing is to bolt up the transmission. That is, unless it's dry or has a major problem. This gives you a starter gear (on the torque converter) and a way to mount the starter
If it's a stick, easy--bolt on the flywheel and bell and starter
2---What do you have for a carb? Now you CAN (and I have) fire an engine for a few seconds just by squirting gas or even propane down the open manifold, but to run it for a minute or so, you need a carb.......You can "rig" a safe container up above with a siphon hose to feed the carb
3--I assume this is a breaker points ignition, or has this been converted to electronic. You need a good distributor, with good clean points and a good condenser, and of course coil, cap, rotor, wires If you need help setting the distributor in and setting timing, we can help you here
4--Obviously a battery, and good jumper cables. Misc clip leads to hook up ignition.
5---With a breaker points dist, just hook the dist. primary wire up to coil neg, lay the coil on the engine or with a bolt, does not need to be tight. When ready, hook a clip lead from coil + to the battery cable on the starter. Hook the jumper to that terminal and to engine ground.
When ready, just jumper with a screwdriver between the two solenoid terminals and the engine should crank
6---Before firing, of course you'll have to install the manifold. I'd go ahead and inspect the cam, lifters and rocker gear for damage and wear, and use the starter to perform a compression test. Remove the plugs and squirt a bit of oil into the cylinders to lube them, but be careful---make sure to crank the engine with the plugs out to blow out excess oil, and BE AWARE than even a small amount of oil will increase compression ratio and give you incorrect readings on the compression tester.
So probably the best sequence is to............
oil the cylinders, crank to remove excess oil, fire and run the engine, then run a compression test
DO NOT reach conclusions about oil usage in this short running time because whether or not you oil the cylinders, it will likely burn oil from sitting.
Make sure to check oil pressure. You can prime the pump with filter removed, and with distributor installed, using the starter. This should take about one second of cranking. Then install the filter, and remove the oil sender and crank until you get pressure there at the sender fitting. You can install a cheap gauge if you like.
This is an engine I test fired, did not even bother to put manifolds on it. The carb on it was all screwed up (water, rust, etc) so I actually fired it just by dumping a small amount of fuel down the throats and later, changed the carb. I have an "emergency" ignition system (breakerless) which uses a GM HEI module in this box.
"Depending" (on what you have) it doesn't take much to fire an engine
1---Is this a stick or automatic? If it's automatic, the easiest thing is to bolt up the transmission. That is, unless it's dry or has a major problem. This gives you a starter gear (on the torque converter) and a way to mount the starter
If it's a stick, easy--bolt on the flywheel and bell and starter
2---What do you have for a carb? Now you CAN (and I have) fire an engine for a few seconds just by squirting gas or even propane down the open manifold, but to run it for a minute or so, you need a carb.......You can "rig" a safe container up above with a siphon hose to feed the carb
3--I assume this is a breaker points ignition, or has this been converted to electronic. You need a good distributor, with good clean points and a good condenser, and of course coil, cap, rotor, wires If you need help setting the distributor in and setting timing, we can help you here
4--Obviously a battery, and good jumper cables. Misc clip leads to hook up ignition.
5---With a breaker points dist, just hook the dist. primary wire up to coil neg, lay the coil on the engine or with a bolt, does not need to be tight. When ready, hook a clip lead from coil + to the battery cable on the starter. Hook the jumper to that terminal and to engine ground.
When ready, just jumper with a screwdriver between the two solenoid terminals and the engine should crank
6---Before firing, of course you'll have to install the manifold. I'd go ahead and inspect the cam, lifters and rocker gear for damage and wear, and use the starter to perform a compression test. Remove the plugs and squirt a bit of oil into the cylinders to lube them, but be careful---make sure to crank the engine with the plugs out to blow out excess oil, and BE AWARE than even a small amount of oil will increase compression ratio and give you incorrect readings on the compression tester.
So probably the best sequence is to............
oil the cylinders, crank to remove excess oil, fire and run the engine, then run a compression test
DO NOT reach conclusions about oil usage in this short running time because whether or not you oil the cylinders, it will likely burn oil from sitting.
Make sure to check oil pressure. You can prime the pump with filter removed, and with distributor installed, using the starter. This should take about one second of cranking. Then install the filter, and remove the oil sender and crank until you get pressure there at the sender fitting. You can install a cheap gauge if you like.
This is an engine I test fired, did not even bother to put manifolds on it. The carb on it was all screwed up (water, rust, etc) so I actually fired it just by dumping a small amount of fuel down the throats and later, changed the carb. I have an "emergency" ignition system (breakerless) which uses a GM HEI module in this box.