I recently got my '53 Mk II back together after a 2.5 year hibernation. All new engine innards. The first 100 miles or so were disheartening. It was clearly running incredibly hot, so I would limit my runs to just a few miles at a time at first. In addition, it seems oil was leaking everywhere. It did NOT want to start easily.. everything just so tight I think the engine wouldn't spin quite fast enough on a kick start. At first I had to get my wife to assist with a push down our inclined driveway, then it would crank right up.
3 oil changes/head retorques/valve adjustments and 650 miles later, the engine is just absolutely perfect.. It kick starts from cold every time with exactly 2 kicks.. first kick to "free up" the cold engine, then on 2nd kick fires right up. Engine running cool, almost no oil leakage, oil pressure from the Morgo runs 70PSI at cruise speed (I added a gauge), and the engine just couldn't be any smoother. I think with a brand new rebuild everything is going to be tight and reluctant at first. Take it easy, short rides and frequent oil changes (I did the first oil change after just statically running the engine about 10 minutes!), retorque and adjust valves frequently, and it will all fall into place.

- Custom Oil Pressure Gauge and Combo Turn Signal/Horn/Kill Button
I am still running 40 wt non-detergent oil, plan on switching to full synthetic at about 1,000 miles
Phil Auldridge Austin, Texas - USA
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