Starting SBC 350 first time-help!

[Tntruckguy]

Hey truck guys!, need some advise on starting a 1980 350 that I have bought for my 1950 5 window. I have it mounted in front of a newly rebuilt 700R4. Carb rebuilt, exhaust hooked up and plumbed to gas tank. No wiring or grounding yet. I am using the stock battery location so any help with that would be great also. Should I plumb Radiator and Water pump? This is my first ground up build so relying on people that have done this before.

Any threads or posts relating to this topic paste below.

Thanks in advance!
Tntruckguy

[Jurassic-1]

You could hook it all up but regardless you should prime the engine if you do not know when it was last started. This will ensure oil is in all of the bearings and the lifters. You could give it a try before it is all hooked up by hooking up the battery and running a hot wire to the neg. side of the coil. If you do, Do not run too long. It will heat up quickly but it will let you know if the engine runs.

[OrrieG]

Generally starting and running for a minute will not hurt anything. Prime the carb first so it starts right away. Hot wire to the coil and starter and you can jump the solenoid to start. I wire a switch into the coil wire to minimize shock risk and save the coil when it is not running. Make sure transmission has fluid. Keep a fire blanket and extinguisher handy, fingers out of the fan and don't be looking down the carb unless you like the no-eye brow look.

I would take the extra time to add the radiator hoses, you will need to figure them out anyway. You can use a bipass hose for the heater fittings. That will give you an opportunity to run it a little longer for tuning, and to bring it up to temperature to flush out the cooling system.

[_Ogre]

Generally starting and running for a minute will not hurt anything.

agreed, i've started many new/rebuilt/takeout motors and have never primed a motor

don't be looking down the carb unless you like the no-eye brow look.

lol. sounds like the voice of experience