About to start my freshly rebuilt 355 lt1. What are some methods I should take for the first time it starts. Before it starts and after it starts?

 

Did you prime the oil pump? If not, I would pull the intake manifold, take out the oil pump drive and prime it using a powerful drill and the necessary tool.

The tool can be purchased from summit or jegs for about 30 bucks. I prefer the one made by proform with the collar.

 

Assuming you primed the oil system (with conventional NON-synthetic motor oil) prior to installing the intake manifold, start the motor and run it at idle for about a minute or two, ensuring that you have adequate oiling to the rockers and valvetrain. Install the valve covers and go drive it. Do several 70-80% throttle pulls in a row and let the engine brake itself. Repeat a few times/heat cycles (maybe 20 miles or so), then change the oil and go beat on it. Do NOT be afraid to wail on it.

The LAST thing you want to do is be nice to it with long idle times, easy driving, etc. This is critical to prevent ring glazing.

 

Several companies make break-in oil, which may be beneficial.
http://www.royalpurple.com/breakin-oil.html

 

I heard I can prime the motor by pulling the coil plug and the injector fuses. Then use the starter to prime the motor and have the valve covers off to see if oil is there and use the oil pressure gauge to make sure there's pressure

 

So you didn't prime the oil system. Hmmmmmm...

I know that many people use the starter to prime the oil system, but I for one do not like the idea of bearings spinning while waiting for oil to support them. IMO, the right way to do it is with a priming tool with the manifold off.

Break-in oils with higher zinc content are unnecessary on a hydraulic roller motor. Conventional weight is just fine.

 

I just got the motor back in the car and 100% together. Never started it never even turned the key

 

Ok? Sooooo.....

 

This is why im asking cause I don't know

 

Here's what I used on a recent rebuild:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MOR-23900/?rtype=1
I plumbed it into the oil gallery right above the oil filter and mounted the canister where the air box used to be.

The instructions explain how to prime a dry, fresh engine and it worked perfectly.

These things are great in protecting the engine from a sudden, short lived loss of oil pressure......