After my engine swap I'm about ready to re start it and was wondering what's the preferred way to bring up oil pressure before it's running? I have an electric gauge not mechanical. Will just cranking it before starting be okay.?

 

Yes. Pull the HT lead on the coil & just crank until you observe oil pressure on the gauge and remove the oil filler cap & observe oil flow to the cams.

Then you are safe to fire her up.

See:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/m...cation-209831/

 

Removing the spark plugs would allow the engine to rotate quicker with less stress on the internals.

 

Good call Rob. I almost read your mind on that one. Much hissing going on via the plug holes. While I did not do that it is a fine idea.

I had it in the back of my mind. Cass would remove the plugs ~ sensible chap.

At the same time make sure that all is clean around the plug holes so nothing can drop into/be sucked into the engine like that small nut that you don't know where goes.

 

I think you've already done it, but it's a good idea to turn the engine by hand first. Good luck with the first start up!

 

Better safe than sorry. A friend has just bent a valve on his E Type.

 

... yes, ideally check the valve timing, then turn over by hand with the cam covers off watching the valves watching to see that they're going up and down with the cams. I think Oxendine has done some of this already, but for those who haven't ...

 

The E Type engine had not run for some time. Turning over by hand gently you will feel the obstruction without bending a valve. If one has stuck in the guide.