First Time Starting a Project Car

Hello, Some of you may know me as the crazy kid who is rebuilding a 1973 Triumph Stag project for school, while I have come along way and the dead line is quickly approaching (January 4th, so christmas is canceled) . I have got the engine in and now it has come time to get it running. I have made a list of all the jobs I have to complete (below). What am I forgetting about, I know to prime the engine with oil (run the pump to prime the system) and my mechanic Tino will be there to help, but what am I forgetting. Have some pics as payment for advice -Ryan The list The pretty engine Going in In

awesome project! Stags are awesome, if you could find one...

Congratulations on your progress! Those headers are sweet!

Your list looks pretty complete.

In regards to DukeOfUndersteer I have another if you want one It would make a great winter project (hint hint)

First start? Double check all fluids and battery/ground connections, make sure all your freeze/oil plugs are in place, prime the oil pump, get the biggest fire extinguisher you can, prime the carb, and go!

Thanks for the advice

Dont use that air cleaner thats on it in the picture, those things burn if the engine backfires.

start it OUTSIDE

learned that the hard way with my old camaro. car on stands on fire in the garage is not a fun july 4th show.

Generally the only things I ever remember are the fire extinguisher and make sure it has oil in it and the ignition/fuel systems are disconnected for the first crank.. then connect ignition and fuel once the oil light goes out or gauge shows pressure. Then it starts right up and I go right to the track or dyno to break it in/tune it.

X2 on getting rid of the air cleaner. They like to burn (seen several on fire), suggest using it as a wall decoration only.

Triple check ignition wiring and grounds. X3 on air cleaner and starting outside - my bronco lit mine up on first start. For a fresh build if you're running it - don't forget about breaking in the cam if it's new (working temp and pressure guages). Also make sure you're at TDC with dist. install/wiring - then worry about advance. I'm notorious for trying stuff backwards first. Can be frustrating.

Grounds, grounds, grounds. Maybe I'm just stupid, but I've had many more electrical fires than other kinds at startup. I agree with Paul, don't try to fire it up on the first crank. Disconnect spark/fuel, and get some oil up in it first.

And x4 for making sure the thing is outside. x49,378 for the Fire Extinguisher.

BTW: This old ex-Triumph guy is so stoked that you're trying to save the original motor. And hell yeah, those headers ROCK! Good luck, dude!

Buy a real fire extinguisher too, like one of the $75 ones, not the $20 ones that are too small to be useful.

Thanks for the advice, can someone suggest a low air cleaner that doesn't have that nasty habit of catching fire? Also I will be going out to get a fire extinguisher this weekend.

Rad_Capz wrote: X2 on getting rid of the air cleaner. They like to burn (seen several on fire), suggest using it as a wall decoration only.

X3 here. also happened to me too........