Thread: 3.9v8 efi first start up :)

Hi Guys,

Well I finally got the beast started

Just a couple of things;

After priming the motor for about a minute the oil light went out
Plugged the coil lead in it and expected the beast to fire up. ......nope.
After double checking all my photos I thought I'd check the spark. Very weak spark coming from coil. I thought mmmmm, change the coil with a spare. Sure enough it lept to life, a bit rough but yeah all seemed good. After running for 20mins I noticed the coil pack getting very hot and oil leaking from it. Not good. Is it common for a Bosch MEC 717 to go faulty and produce a weak spark? Hasn't been used for 5 or so months. I used the spare electronic coil that came with the motor but obviously the wrong type.

Also, I'm trying to adjust the advance on the distributor but I've run out of room. The vac unit is right up against the water pump. I know it would run a bit sweeter if I could get another 10mm. I don't have a timing light but any less than right up against it the revs drop.

Since putting on the shroud and fan it seems there is about a 6mm gap between the left and right hand side of the radiator to the shroud. Is it critical that I should have no gap so the air is forced through better with no gap? I suppose that's what I get for getting a non standard all alloy radiator? I had it running for quite a while with no fan and it was staying below half way, so I'm impressed with the performance of the radiator.

My brake light is also staying on, it's like it doesn't spring back all the way. If I pull on the brake pedal with my hands I get another 5mm travel and the light goes out. Is this easy to adjust?

I'm happy to report that there is no leaks....touch wood around the motor and the Wabco brake pump is sounding a lot healthier since changing the accumulator. and the pump is working a lot less now. Could do with bleeding it though.

All the lifters pumped up nicely with no ticking and no cam knock

The Rave manual came in handy because lining up the distributor to oil pump at the 10/4 position made the timing right + the 30deg was enough to get it started

Not to far away from rego now and no more steam

I took quite a few pics of the setup before I disconnected everything. Revs very nicely, haven't tried it the other way. Looks like I'll bite the bullet and buy another coil.

Although at the time I used the capaciter from the Bosch 717 on the replacement coil. I've since found the Capaciter that belongs to the coil. Runs a lot better now. Not sure about the heat yet, didn't run it long enough to find out.

Cheers