first start break in

Lol, just use some common sense.

Drilling the hole in the stat is an absolute benefit, I do all of mine that way. Raising the front of the car while you fill the cooling system will help "burp" it. Use a mix of water/coolant

When you prepare to do the breakin, make sure the timing is set right, make sure you have a good known carb. Make sure you have enough fuel in the tank to complete the breakin process. Double check your oil level.

It's real handy to have someone with you, one to operate the throttle, and the other looking for leaks and listening for problems. Mufflers at a minimum on the headers if you don't have the exhaust on yet. Much easier to hear any problem.

Have on hand, a fire extinguisher/garden hose if you're in a climate that allows it this time of year, a box fan for in front of the radiator, a screwdriver in case you need to tweak the carb slightly.

Fire that puppy up and have at it.

Good luck!
well I think I'll have most of those bases covered. The car is already jacked up to the front tires are off the ground to put the motor back in actually that's the way it was since its been out.I got a new fuel cell so I'll be filling that up with aviation fuel. I have the headers already hooked up to the glass packs and kicked out the side. Not exactly the quietest setup but I like it. I've got the dual quads from the 318 and I left them and never touch them so I'm hoping they'll be in some kind of tune. As far as the timing I'm going to find number 1 on its firing stroke on top dead center turn motor at 10 degrees before top dead center and then turn the distributor back and forth to the number one spark plug fires set up there. I guess I'll try and find a fan it's not going to be really hot here in Oregon but it won't be below freezing either. even as prepared as I can be with a friend handy I'm still going to be on pins and needles til its running right .