Update on 216 to 261 engine switch

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Bob

Well maybe cement mixer is a little harsh, maybe a sewing machine, but with the engine sitting out in the open with no fan it sounds loud (fan is electric on the test stand right now). Just after letting the engine sit for 3 or 4 days the first time I started the engine the top end sounded like a 216 with really loose valves adjusters. Of course once the engine built oil pressure (you right a couple of seconds) the noise went away.

The leak down may have been helped by the fact that I'd left the block heater turned on so the engine sat over the weekend at 100 F which would have kept the oil thin. I'll repeat the experiment and see if it happens again.

The oil pressure cold or hot is holding very steady at just about 40 psi regardless of engine speed. With the engine run in a little now I can let it idle down to under 400 rpm with no problem, still limiting top rpm to 1500 and not for any length of time. When I'm running the engine I keep changing the rpm up and down every minute or so.

Cheers Phil