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Things to check before hitting the starter:

• Fuel to carburetor
• Battery connected, spark to coil & distributor
• Alligator clip line from battery to coil ("Ignition switch")
• Radiator filled, hoses connected
• Water pump/generator belt installed
• Temporary exhaust rigged ?
• Oil filter installed (Optional)
• Fire extinguisher at the ready

 

Fire when ready, Gridley!

• Engine *should* fire if timing set correctly
• You may have to fiddle with the timing if not

• Once the engine starts for the first time (and stays running), let it settle into a low idle.
•  

• Monitor the oil pressure.  It should start out near 80 psi and slowly drop to 60 psi as the engine warms up and breaks in.

 

• Monitor the temperature.  Temp at the thermostat housing inlet should slowly climb to 180 ~ 200 degrees and stay there.

If you've complete all the steps correctly and you've successfully shut down the engine after a 20-minute break in run ...  Congratulations!

 

• Now, go back over the engine carefully and check for leaks and other issues.
• You have completed the 261 teardown and rebuild

• Once the engine starts for the first time (and stays running), let it settle into a low idle
•  

• Monitor the oil pressure.  It should start out near 80 psi and slowly drop to 60 psi as the engine warms up and breaks in.

 

• Monitor the temperature.  Temp at the thermostat housing inlet should slowly climb to 180 ~ 200 degrees and stay there

 

• If everything is looking good, bring the engine up to ... well, anything above a fast idle is sufficient.  Most cam manufacturers recommend 2,000 RPM, but it's not set in stone. The idea is to get enough oil slinging off the crankshaft and rods to keep the cam lobes bathed in a heavy coat of oil while the new cam and lifters are establishing a running fit with each other. 15 to 20 minutes of "above-idle" running Is sufficient to accomplish that, especially with an engine with fairly low valve spring pressure like a Stovebolt.

 

• Upon shut down, immediately remove the valve cover and perform a hot valve adjustment.  It is done the same way you did it before on the cold engine.  Make sure the exhaust valves are set .014 inches and the intake valves are set to .009 inches.