Bit of a milestone day for the build today. Fired up the engine for the first time
Not without a glitch... when I cranked it there was nothing, just the engine turning
over with no sign of life. Tried several times and still nothing. So I thought... problem ?
Pulled a plug and no smell of gas, so loosened the banjo bolt on the fuel rail, and dry as
a bone. Thought the fuel pump had died, but just to be sure I gave it one more crank.
Wouldn't you know it... gas finally arrived and I had a garden sprinkler of gasoline
under the hood !! Luckily the engine didn't roar into life... it stumbled a bit and I was
able to shut it down right away. Had to wait a while for the gas to evaporate and
disappear before trying again. But it fired up right off and after a quick timing check
and look for leaks, I was out of the garage and driving
Got back a half hour later with engine break-in completed according to the Moto-Man
technique. Engine runs real well for a low comp 8.9:1 GZE spec block. Couldn't do a
back to back comparison with the 10.3:1 block, but the new engine wouldn't be all that
far behind on power. Certainly not gutless as GZE engines running N.A. are said to be.
Got it back in the garage and checked for leaks... fcuk !!! Oil running down the exhaust
side right at the front. First thought was the MLS head gasket must be leaking, but on
closer inspection the oil seemed to be coming from higher up.
Pulled the cam wheels and backing plate for a closer look, and to my great relief, it
was a leaking cam seal... the oil tracks on the backing plate tell the story.
I remember that the seals were a prick to install... seemed to be oversize and took
a lot hammering to get them fitted. Lesson learned... should have got another set and
replaced them. But I'm happy it is only a couple of seals required... easy fix
Cheers... jondee86