Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

[joewithaboat]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

Greg,
Good to see your almost ready. Your oil prime will be lost and should be done just before starting.
I would not run a new engine like that without oil press. and temp. gauges maybe a tach hooked up first.
With yours being a roller cam the only thing you are really "breaking in" is the rings.
Are you just trying to make sure it runs before spending time putting it in the boat ?

 

[greg82255]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

Greg,
Good to see your almost ready. Your oil prime will be lost and should be done just before starting.
I would not run a new engine like that without oil press. and temp. gauges maybe a tach hooked up first.
With yours being a roller cam the only thing you are really "breaking in" is the rings.
Are you just trying to make sure it runs before spending time putting it in the boat ?

Thanks Joe. Yea, I just want to make sure everything works before I put it back in the boat. If something goes wrong it will probably be easier to fix on the stand then inside the boat. I'll be sure to oil prime it right before I start it up. Also I actually have a set of gauges that I plan to hook up to make sure everything is working correctly.

Anyone have a wiring diagram or instructions for how to start a mercruiser on the stand?

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

Anyone have a wiring diagram or instructions for how to start a mercruiser on the stand?

You should just be able to put 12 volts to the pos side of the coil and to the starter. I guess that wont power up your factory gauge sending units if that's what your after.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

check here, another member jumps factory plug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m4h...DvjVQa1PpcFPxeU0Pwk6D4mw7MxHvCy8AeHHcCoDMezI=

 

[greg82255]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

check here, another member jumps factory plug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m4h...DvjVQa1PpcFPxeU0Pwk6D4mw7MxHvCy8AeHHcCoDMezI=

I have all the gauges connected so that they should work. I see that he jumps plug #5 and #6 on the harness to get the ignition to stay on, and #7 for the starter. Alpheus made a video that does the same thing. In addition to jumping those wires, I need to connect the battery (-) to the block, but where does the wire from the positive terminal need to go? I know its the starter but there are a few different connections.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

I have all the gauges connected so that they should work. I see that he jumps plug #5 and #6 on the harness to get the ignition to stay on, and #7 for the starter. Alpheus made a video that does the same thing. In addition to jumping those wires, I need to connect the battery (-) to the block, but where does the wire from the positive terminal need to go? I know its the starter but there are a few different connections.

The big lug on the starter solenoid opposite of the one that's the exact same size that will have a wire running from it to the starter motor. In other words, the large unoccupied lug on the solenoid.

 

[greg82255]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

Got back on the boat late this afternoon and worked until about 8 or so. It was dark out when I finally got everything hooked up, but I couldn't resist firing it up and seeing if the last few months paid off. Here's the video of the first start up.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

I thought I heard a mean sounding small block off in the distance last night.
Sounds great!

Your neighbors over there in Andover proper must have loved you.
"Muffy... the neighbor boy over there is making all sorts of ruckus, shall I phone the authorities?"

 

[greg82255]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

I thought I heard a mean sounding small block off in the distance last night.
Sounds great!

Your neighbors over there in Andover proper must have loved you.
"Muffy... the neighbor boy over there is making all sorts of ruckus, shall I phone the authorities?"

Haha, thanks Erik. Yea one of the neighbors actually came outside to see what was going on, and since it was about 8-8:30 at night I figured I would save the 20 minute run for this morning. I just broke in the rings a few hours ago and everything appears to be working properly. I took a few more videos but just realized that I was holding my iPhone the wrong way so the videos are playing upside down. Once I figure out how to flip it over, I'll upload it.

If it sounds this good with the standard manifolds and 3 inch risers, I can't wait to hear what it will sound like once I put a different exhaust on there..

 

[greg82255]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

Here's another video of the ring break in. Everything appears to be working just right.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

Greg...

FYI... 20 minutes at 2000 RPM isn't for breaking in the rings, it's for breaking in a flat tappet cam and lifters which you, me, and hundreds of other members on this site know you don't have Sir.

Rings are broken in by varying RPM's under load, over the course of several hundred miles (or hours in terms of a boat). Any constant sustained RPM's can glaze the cylinders and rings, and cause a poor seal (and before you ask, you didn't damage the rings by running it at a constant 2000/20). You will be breaking the rings in during your first few outings in the spring....

 

[billbayliner]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

Greg...
FYI... 20 minutes at 2000 RPM isn't for breaking in the rings, it's for breaking in a flat tappet cam and lifters which you, me, and hundreds of other members on this site know you don't have Sir.

Rings are broken in by varying RPM's under load, over the course of several hundred miles (or hours in terms of a boat). Any constant sustained RPM's can glaze the cylinders and rings, and cause a poor seal (and before you ask, you didn't damage the rings by running it at a constant 2000/20). You will be breaking the rings in during your first few outings in the spring....

Greg, listen to Roger. His advice is dead on. You need to load the engine to create the pressure behind the rings.
You can easily miss your oportunity to seat the piston rings the right way. If you miss this, you'll be pulling back apart.

I would quit running on the pallet and wait until installed.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

These guys are right the rings take a while to break in, varying loads will work the best.

You didn't really show wither or not it has a nice responsive throttle. It is hard to tell from listening to a you tube video but it sounds like the valves are too tight. If it doesn't rev well you might check them. You don't want to be out on the water running hard with the valves too tight.

Good job on the assembly, feels good doesn't it.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

It is hard to tell from listening to a you tube video but it sounds like the valves are too tight. If it doesn't rev well you might check them. You don't want to be out on the water running hard with the valves too tight.

I don't know how you tell if the valves are set too tight by the video, but if you're right, he could sure burn a few if they were not set right.

I sent a pm to him back in Januaray and did not hear back. Figured he blew it off being it was none of my biz and he's right, it isn't.
I explained that we're actually setting the cam follower plunger depth, and I explained the 8 stop method that a buddy uses and how it works.
If he's messing with rocker arm ratios this even more important.
I'd hate to see him have trouble when he's this close.

 

[greg82255]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

Erik - Thanks for the heads up - I actually figured I'd follow the typical Mercruiser 20-hour break in process once I actually got on the water - (first 10 hours vary the throttle every so often and don't exceed 3/4 throttle, then the next 10 sustained runs of 5 minutes at full throttle, etc..). I have the exact instructions written down somewhere. I was told by the builder (Chad) to run it for 20 minutes at 2000 rpm to put some heat in the cylinders and start to break in the rings - he too pointed out that there was no cam break-in.

Joe - In the first video I posted on page #10 of this thread, there are a few points where I revved it and gave it some throttle. It appears to rev just fine and be very responsive, but I suppose it couldn't hurt to check the valve adjustment again. What should I be listening for to see if the valves are too tight?

Bill - I did get your message and simply forgot to reply -sorry about that. I'm not very good about checking them, and if I don't reply right away then chances are I will forget. Have I gone too far or can I still use this method for checking the valve adjustment?

 

[billbayliner]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

Bill - I did get your message and simply forgot to reply -sorry about that. I'm not very good about checking them, and if I don't reply right away then chances are I will forget. Have I gone too far or can I still use this method for checking the valve adjustment?

Yes, but it will be a bit different now.

copy and paste. hope it answers your question.

The beauty of the 8 stop method (prior to any oil priming of cam followers, and prior to the intake manifold installed), is that we can watch as the adjustment nut moves the rocker arm (against a spring loaded valve), of which then the push rod can be seen as it begins to move and set the plunger depth.
While we do need to locate Zero Lash, and adjust from Zero Lash...., we're not adjusting valves!
It's all about setting plunger/piston depth ... not valve lash as typically thought of.

The rocker arm ratio, the thread pitch of the rocker arm stud, the adjustment recommendation of the nut (once zero lash has been determined), are all part of the formula of which the OEM engineered in order to ultimately set the cam follower (lifter) internal plunger/piston depth.

The term "valve lash adjustment" is a carry-over from the old mechanical lifter days.... or some very high performance mechanical followers of today.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

Greg
There are several methods to set hydraulic lifters. The easiest way while doing a new assembly is with the lifters dry. That opportunity is past. The easiest, most accurate way now is with it running. It will be a bit messy, but works very well.
If it sounds ok and revs well i wouldn't worry about it. It just sounds a little lazy to me. The pulses from the even bank seem a bit erratic compared to the odd bank. Again, might just be the video.
Congrats again on a job well done!

 

[greg82255]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

So -if the valves are in fact too tight and I start to run this under a heavy load, how much damage am I going to cause? I want to make sure everything is perfect before I put this in the water. Oil splashes can be cleaned up. If the rockers can be adjusted easily with the valve covers off, then that's what should happen.

Bill, I'm not sure I understand everything written about the 8 stop method. It seems like that needs to be done with the intake off and he lifers dry. I vaguely remember Joe explaining how to adjust the rockers while the engine is running. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember that I should tighten the rocker nuts until I don't hear any clattering, and then add 1/2 turn. Is that right?

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

So -if the valves are in fact too tight and I start to run this under a heavy load, how much damage am I going to cause? I want to make sure everything is perfect before I put this in the water. Oil splashes can be cleaned up. If the rockers can be adjusted easily with the valve covers off, then that's what should happen.

Bill, I'm not sure I understand everything written about the 8 stop method. It seems like that needs to be done with the intake off and he lifers dry. I vaguely remember Joe explaining how to adjust the rockers while the engine is running. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember that I should tighten the rocker nuts until I don't hear any clattering, and then add 1/2 turn. Is that right?

Yea forget the 8 or 16 stop you cant do that now...

-run the engine to operating temp
-shut off and remove one valve cover
-start engine again, while running at idle, one at a time slowly back off ploy loc until you here distinct clicking/clacking
-slowly tighten until clicking stops


The clicking is slack in the valve train... as you slowly tighten it... at the moment that it is gone you are at zero lash


-then tighten 1/2 turn more and lock the poly lock
-do all eight
-shut it off, replace cover, clean up mess, repeat other side.

If they are too tight, or too loose, you can bend a pushrod (most common), burn a valve, pop a retainer... drop a valve

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Here We Go: My 383 Stroker Winter Project

I have been following this thread since the beginning........you should be very proud of yourself, looks like you did a great job!!

Building a 383 stroker for my Grady is on my bucket list.........

Can't wait to get home and listen to those videos......no speakers at work!!

Keep up the good work.