Hey guys I have my clifford package on and almost ready to fire up. What I thought was starter fluid was really carb cleaner and I was running out of time last night and tried to fire her a few times before I left the shop with carb cleaner but it never turned over. My question is about the fuel regulator though. I am waiting on the fuel pressure gauge in the mail. What would be close to 2.5 lbs on this thing if I had to guess at setting the inside screw on the regulator? It seems that unscrewing it the screw backs out and would be opening the regulator more? Can I assume the closing it all the way and then just a few turns to open might put me in the 2.5 range? the regulator goes to 15lbs so I am thinking it would be more closed than open? I am going to stop by on my lunch and try again with some started fluid. Any other pre priming suggestions on a new set up with header intake carb...? thanks fellas. Learning a ton

 

I have a running Clifford system. FOLLOW ALL THE CLIFFORD INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDING THE WATER LINE SET UPS.
You should research inital start ups and feel comfortable with whatever method you use. If you are inexperienced at this you should get a mechanic to help. Others may offer additional tips.
Two people makes it a lot easier. I assume the engine has been properly assembled and that the initial timing has been set. I wouldn't use starting fluid. It shouldn't be needed. Chances are the carb cleaner evaporated before it hit the cylinders. But I'd smell the oil to make sure you didn't contaminate it.
Here is how I do it.
Remove the distributor and get a 1/4 hex drive shaft or whatever fits. There are some different shafts and end styles depending on year. I had to make my own out of hex stock. Chuck the shaft in the drill and then put the end of the shaft down the distributor hole and into the top of the oil pump. Remove the oil pressure sending unit. Start the drill and keep it going until oil is coming out of the sending unit. Stop the drill and reinsert the sending unit. Restart the drill and watch for oil flow at the rocker shaft. If okay put the valve cover back on - finger tight on the bolts - the valve lash will have to be checked and adjusted later.
This pre primes the motor and assures that there is oil for initial start up. Does the oil have a zinc additive? Thats important on these old flat tappet motors. I used Brad Penn start up oil for my initial fire up.
Attach an oil pressure gauge. On fire up should get 50+ pounds of pressure. Attach a vacuum gauge - this is for initial set up of the carb
Attach a tach for the cam break in.
Get a small bottle (like a catsup bottle) with a squirt top and put gas in it. Remove the air cleaner and pour a small quantity of gas into the float bowl. I assume you have a gas supply connected to the fuel pump.
Hold the choke plate open and turn the key. It should fire if the timing is reasonably close. If it just doesn't seem to want to go turn the distributor slowly in either direction to see if it can pick it up. Once it fired I checked the oil pressure - if its not in spec shut it down and chase the problem.
When it began to run I adjusted the carb to attain the highest vacuum reading. I held the throttle steady at 2000 RPM for 20 minutes to break in the cam. Watch the temperatures and if necessary turn an external fan onto the radiator.
Again if you don't feel at ease get some help. This is the most critical time in the engine life!
Thats how I did it. It started after about 10 seconds of turning over. It ran well enough on its own and held a good idle after I adjusted the carb. Good luck with getting it going......let us know what happens.

 

Thanks p38. I dont have a new cam. just the manifold, carb, and headers from clifford. I put the fuel reg on but dont have my pressure gauge yet so i am just trying to wing it and get it back home from the shop its at until my gauge gets here. would the timing be that far out if it ran perfect with the stock setup and single barrel? I was thinking it should be all that far out and only need little adjusting after a need manifold and carb. I had the choke wired to the + terminal on the coil.. I am going to move it to the s post on the alt at lunch and give it some starter fluid and give it a try. 45 min from now, I'll let you know