No questions, Just happyness

[monomer]

After ~3 years of sitting, I got my 83 rabbit to crank.

Different motor, different everything. Lots of bolts and two spare blocks later; it CRANKED.


I'm sad that the battery has no balls. But the sheer fact that it's timed in right and sounded like it wanted to start makes the past two weeks of work worth it. The bently manual and this site were invaluable.

Work to the body, exhaust and interior work need to get done, next season it's getting charged (arp hardware installed.)


Thanks everyone! I wish you all were here to see the grin on my face!

[8v-of-fury]

Yeahhh buddddy

[CrazyAndy]

Verry nice, high fives!!

Mine will be about at your level when I get the thing ready to run again; new engine, trans, sitting for over a year now . . .I know that feel bro.  Just think, only two more steps to go:  Start-up and break-in!

Hit us up if there are any other issues once she starts running.  And don't forget pics.   

[monomer]

Ok, on to the questions:

I've snagged the battery of my DD. No luck starting, no matter how much cranking. Could the pump timing (eye-balled) be off far enough to cause this? It has fuel to the inlet and coming out of the return. All I get is a little white smoke, mostly from the valvecover breather line.

Intake is not on the car yet. Exhaust is on, but with no DP.

[8v-of-fury]

So. I take it the pump was empty from fuel when you put it back on?

It takes ALOT of cranking to pull fuel all the way from the tank. I suggest filling up your filter and pump and trying again.

[monomer]

So. I take it the pump was empty from fuel when you put it back on?

It takes ALOT of cranking to pull fuel all the way from the tank. I suggest filling up your filter and pump and trying again.

Walbro lift pump installed.


It has a leak somewhere, because bubbles develop if it sits. With the pump on it's solid.

[Toby]

OR you could put a little air pressure (like 3 psi) and just crack the bleeder on the filter till you have fuel there. Then crack the banjo bolt at the pump to clear the air from the line. Crank it with your foot to the floor until it starts. Keep the revs high enough to keep it running but do not over rev the motor. If it is being stubborn you can try cracking the fittings one by one at the injectors to help bleed the air out of the hard lines.

BTW, "eyeballing" pump timing is pretty silly. Dig out the tools and do it right BEFORE you try to start it. I have never had one that did not start right up unless the supply pump in the IP was bad.

The easiest way to put some pressure on a Rabbit tank is the vent hose that runs into the engine compartment and disappears into a hole in the bumper horn. If it does not have one, then I use the return line and don't release pressure until I have fuel coming out the fitting on top of the IP. Put the line back on and crank it.

If you use too much pressure you can blow the hose off of the tank fitting, which will of course, squirt diesel fuel out the 10 mm hole at a frightening rate, so beware. I use my leakdown tester set to 3 PSI.

[RabbitJockey]

I've gotten them to run good with out timing tools but ur just shooting in the dark really.  And usually when mine are off time I can still get them to start then adjust the pump from there depending on if it's smoking white or too clanky

[8v-of-fury]

Eyeball timing? You didn't eyeball the belt timing process did you?

[knikula]

I just crack open (1/8 turn) the injector lines where they attach to the injectors, and crank until a little fuel leaks from each union.  I also use a primer bulb to draw fuel thru the return banjo...

I couldn't get mine to fire, because I had backed out the fueling screw too far, turning that back in and using the starting advance got it going... good luck...

[8v-of-fury]

VERY little fuel is actually present going to the injectors to fire it off and get it idling.

Also having that max fuel screw out will cause a no run situation. It only takes a turn out to make it so not enough fuel is pumping to fire.

[monomer]

Belt was installed per bently, with.ip and cam locked. crank set to tdc. Hamd cranked two revs and double checked.

This is the ip that came off the car when it ran. No adjustments made.

[theman53]

keep cranking or have it towed in 2nd gear.

[monomer]

keep cranking or have it towed in 2nd gear.

Wimpy battery and slow starter is most of my problem, I think.

The brakes have been sitting for three years also (new before then) I don't trustm yet. I think I'll get the starter rebuilt, or switch it with one in the garage (mk2) and a new battery friday (Proper group 41)


So close I can smell the diesel.

[8v-of-fury]

keep cranking or have it towed in 2nd gear.

Wimpy battery and slow starter is most of my problem, I think.

The brakes have been sitting for three years also (new before then) I don't trustm yet. I think I'll get the starter rebuilt, or switch it with one in the garage (mk2) and a new battery friday (Proper group 41)


So close I can smell the diesel.

Brakes? Who neeeeds em lol