With the help of Dave and Kevin, we fired her up on Sunday!
WP_20140727_005 by
gc8rex, on Flickr
After replacing p/s pulley (which got bent when I installed the pump) with the forester one (sorry Foz), priming oil system, checking fluids, and double checking hoses/clamps/wiring/Rom-raider, I finally turned the key...
She started up like she was running the day before, no hesitation, normal amount of cranking. Oil pressure, coolant, air/fuel all where they should be (front o2 working correctly even though I had to shave plug as it was slightly different from the v8 plug). Constant rpm, but a little rough/shaky. This smoothed out over time as the computer learned new timing, etc. Only value that seemed a bit off was Vac. It was sitting around -16/17mm Hg where I'm normally used to closer to 20. Not going to worry about it was seals/rings still wouldn't be seated perfectly and I'd like to do a more thorough boost leak test.
WP_20140727_007 by
gc8rex, on Flickr
Engine was quieter than I expected too. Loudest part was the ID1000's clicking away, tolerances/oil pump must help to tone down any piston slap that's common on built motors.
No CEL codes showed up from the start up, and rom-raider logging showed 0 knock correction and all values seemed right where they should be. I was panicking at first, wanting to check all values, but finally relaxed seeing they were good
.
After getting everything up to temp, I shut her down and rolled her onto the lift. Dumped the oil (clean but slightly shiny from the machining flakes of the new parts) and changed filter, then filled up with Joe Gibb's break in oil.
WP_20140725_001 by
gc8rex, on Flickr
Not a single sign of leaking from below. Couldn't see a drop of coolant, oil, etc. Hopefully I can keep it this way!
Bled the power steering system (no noise from the pump so seems all is well) with some new Mobil 1 ATF and with the help of Kevin data logging in the hastily installed passenger seat went for a test drive.
Clutch/flywheel all works perfectly, I couldn't be happier with the feel/engagement. Revs drop quickly and pedal isn't too stiff. Will have to see how it feels during fast shifting but I'm sure I'll be impressed.
Exhaust wrap started to seal/heat up which caused some great smelling smoke haha.
Got the car into boost to help seat rings (only ~5ish psi at first) but had a boost leak so I fixed that and kept at it.
This engine feels very peppy. Likely the combination of quick rev up from the flywheel and smooth powerband (what I've tested anyway). Just wants to go when easing off the clutch.
Currently 14km into her new life:
WP_20140727_013 by
gc8rex, on Flickr
After all the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into the planning and build of this motor, Sunday was a HUGE sigh of relief and satisfaction. Just under a year since I melted a piston at Stratotech, she's moving on her on power once again. Lots of tweaking/adjustment to do still, but this was a huge milestone.
Thanks for all the help/encouragement, couldn't have done it without the help of the community.