Feeling Pretty Good About Myself

[Bruzilla]

I went and got a new battery yesterday, and did my first post-installation tests on the 440 in my 74 Roadrunner. I was concerned because the wiring harness had been cut in a lot of places by the jagoffs who pulled the 360 out, the wires were in bad shape, painted over, faded, and it was a major PITA to sort all that spaghetti out, replace wires, splice in new wire, etc.

Anyway, I got the starter to crank from the relay, then by using the key, and the last check was for spark, which is there. So I just need to get the timing right and that sucker should fire right up.

 

[djais1801]

good luck

 

[super-bee_ski]

Cool
Sounds good so far!

Wiring was that bad huh Bru?

 

[GetX'd]

Nothing like a fresh nerve system....

 

[tommyg29]

After all youve been through on it... I hope the beast fires right up and then ruins your rear tires

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

ccasion1: FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bruzilla]

Cool
Sounds good so far!

Wiring was that bad huh Bru?

There were two problems. The first are what we all experience from wiring that's 40+ years old. The other problem was the jagoffs who removed the engine didn't label or mark anything when they unhooked the wires and even cut some.

 

[super-bee_ski]

Wow,
You did overcome an obstacle or two!

Good progress!

 

[747mopar]

Congrats on the wiring. Couple tips to a smooth start up.

#1 prime the oil pump.

#2 set the timing as close as possible (don't wing it).

#3 fill the float bowls.

I can remember my younger years of running batteries down, backfires and 360 out distributors when starting a motor for the first time and have learned a few extra minutes spent makes for a happy fire up. Good luck

 

[Bruzilla]

Well, did all of the above, but still having issues. I changed out the fuel pump for a "new" supposedly known good pump, but it's not pumping any fuel. Either the pump is bad or the rod slid down. So it's an afternoon of pulling a pump.

 

[747mopar]

Typically a full float bowl will run it long enough to prime the lines or at least close to it so if you did that you may be right, hope you find it.

 

[Bruzilla]

Yep, the pump is bad. I had ordered a new one from O'Reillys, but found out their inventory system is hosed and they list the same pump for small and big block, and it's a small block pump. I had to order one from Autozone last night and will hopefully get it in today.

 

[idrivemopar]

Post up some pics, would like to see how shes looking!

 

[Bruzilla]

I got the engine to fire for about 15 seconds on Sunday morning and then it died and I couldn't get it to restart. The battery just didn't seem to be putting enough power to the starter and I found a pretty roached out positive cable when I started digging into things. I replaced the cable just in time for a torrential downpour to hit so I ran inside and will have to wait until this afternoon to see if that fixed the issue.

 

[Cranky]

Someone stuck a small block pump on a big block? I didn't know that could physically happen!

 

[69 GTX]

May the force be with you.

 

[super-bee_ski]

Wow
Bad "Good Pump"
Better than that damn "ROD"
Ugh!

 

[Bruzilla]

Someone stuck a small block pump on a big block? I didn't know that could physically happen!

No, it was in their system wrong. Their inventory control system shows a small block pump number for small blocks and for the 440, so when they ordered the pump a small block pump came in. Subsequent investigation found if you want a big block pump from O'Reillys you need them to look up a pump for a 400. That one is correct.

 

[Bruzilla]

Well YY1, you'll be happy to know that the E-body 8.75 I got from you is now underneath a B body. I built it out on Saturday and replaced the 2.76 center with the 3.23 unit I pulled from the Town & Country I got. Got the 8.25 out and 8.75 in yesterday. Now I just need to get the driveshaft cut, welded, balanced, and U joints replaced and I'll have a complete drivetrain.

 

[dasol7172]

Well YY1, you'll be happy to know that the E-body 8.75 I got from you is now underneath a B body. I built it out on Saturday and replaced the 2.76 center with the 3.23 unit I pulled from the Town & Country I got. Got the 8.25 out and 8.75 in yesterday. Now I just need to get the driveshaft cut, welded, balanced, and U joints replaced and I'll have a complete drivetrain.

I thought E-body rears were too short for a B-body? If not true then I've messed up not getting the ones that were available.