New Amateur Engine Rebuild Featuring a DJ2.1

[Cobra88]

Hi Stu

Have you manually bled tappets before fitting?

I did that when I rebuilt my dg and fitted marco high lift rockers and it started and ran beautifully

[maxstu]

Certainly did. Even though new. All bled. Which was probably overkill.
I even test fitted down engine block bore for smooth running. Then placed each in a small sealed container of oil with their respective positions marked on phial.
Too much time on my hands.

But that was a few months back.

Old photo

[maxstu]

People will tell you different things, but for me racing a freshly built engine does not seem like a good idea and I am not sure what the theory is. 

I would do it your way.

Thanks for your reply.
I went to the Internet for answers. Mostly as l have written earlier.
One cut and paste
_______________________________
Procedure
Install the Camshaft.
Set the Valve Lash or Preload as recommended by the manufacturer.
Prime the Oiling System.
Set the Initial Ignition Timing.
For carbureted engines, make sure fuel bowls are full and any air is bled from the fuel lines.
Start the engine and immediately raise rpm to 3,000.
Vary rpm between 1,500 and 3,000 for the next 20-30 minutes.
Use a slow, steady acceleration/deceleration pattern.
Shut down the engine and let it cool.
Drain the oil and change the oil filter.
This removes any metal particles from the break-in process.
Refill the engine with break-in oil.
The initial break-in is now complete. After the next 500 miles of normal driving, change the oil and oil filter again.

[maxstu]

Meanwhile, l decided to replace the radiator. The rad cowling was very rusty. So gave it a coating of rust inhibitor. Then sprayed with undercoat. And finally a top coat.

Look at the size of the old radiator. South Africa model?



Cowling cleaned up and sprayed.

[Stesaw]

Later rads are chunkier than the earlier ones if I recall right Stu.

[maxstu]

The very old radiator is massive, and at least twenty years old. It has brace bar front and back too. Also is twice the weight of new upgrade!
I cleaned up the starter motor too. A label attached to it reads: Re-manufactured in South Africa.
Strange indeed!

[maxstu]

And went the day well.

I added a bit of fuel directly into the carb. Wound in the idle screw. Ignition on with lights for battery, oil flashing, and coolant flashing for five seconds. It started immediately.

Using my strobe light l adjusted idle so it ran at 1900 rpm while l topped up coolant. Wow this is a smooth engine. No wobbles or hiccups. So lovely. Using a DG dissy on a 2.1 by the way.

I burped the coolant but notice the radiator not kicking in at it's normal temp gauge position. After fifteen minutes the radiator is still lukewarm. So l switched off and let the engine cool down.

Meanwhile l tested the fan switch. Both speeds working. I think l will buy a spare switch, just in case

Switched on ignition again. No oil light. Poor condition of twin connector the cause. PHEW! So will order another from B/W.

Dropped the oil. Twisted off the oil filter and replaced both. Will go for a drive tomorrow. Tonight l'm tidying workshop. Looks like a bomb has hit it!