1.6 Rebuild Questions - Almost There!

[Gizmoman]

When I got the new head I did turn the camshaft over by hand a few times.  Did this have negative consequences? 

I recently got a new head and the cam was coated pretty well with assembly lube. I would guess yours was as well. Turning it over a few times by hand shouldn't do any damage at all.

[rodpaslow]

It will take a while, I don't know the actual number - but your rings have not fully seated yet.  I have a TD that has roughly 2000 miles on a fresh rebuild and it seems weekly it's getting better mileage all the time.  I wouldn't take some blowby at this time being a bad thing.   I can't say, but I think you'll get a bit of blow by on these because of compression 22:1.  No bid deal - my$.02

[JDiesel]

  I wouldn't take some blowby at this time being a bad thing.   I can't say, but I think you'll get a bit of blow by on these because of compression 22:1.  No bid deal - my$.02

no, just vary the RPM like mad for the next little bit.

Oh! I was just joking  I think the rabbit is running great.  The blow-by is minimal and like you guys say it could get better with the right breaking-in.  As far as vacuum leaks go I rebuilt the vacuum pump but the hoses could stand replacement.  

I will continue to vary they rpms like you guys recommend.  

No compression check as of yet,  but the old starter gave up the ghost when trying to turn over the rebuilt engine. I take that as a good sign. But it also means I'm roll-starting it for now.  I figure this is shocking the new rings a bit.  Is this good/bad/doesn't matter?