[Grady Clay]

All good points above.
As Tyson notes, YES – fill the MFI pump with oil and turn it over by hand. Let it drain out the return to retain proper oil level in the pump.
This is a critical part of the Factory procedure.

Get fresh fuel with as high octane as available. 100+ if you can (114 octane race gas works well).
The reason is that a fresh engine has oil in the cylinders (and the ring seal is new).
This oil reduces the octane rating of the mixture.
Detonation is not what you want with fresh everything (or any time).


It is simple to prime the pump, lines and nozzles just prior to installing the engine in the car.
Tyson’s method works well.
Use the car’s fuel system with a pair of extra long fuel lines between the fuel filter console and MFI pump.
Be EXCEEDINGLY careful with gasoline and vapors.


I’m assuming you still have the rear-mounted electric fuel pump.
When you first turn it on, have the car level or nose-up so the dry pump is gravity fed.
You can test circulate fuel without the engine by connecting together the two hoses from the filter console.
Check for any (I mean ANY) fuel seepage.


Make sure the distributor is timed correctly.
This is the most common reason for frustrating ‘first starts’.
The usual problems are non-firing ignition, 180º out of timing and mis-wired firing order.
Make sure the ignition system functions while cranking for oil pressure (fuel system deactivated).


Check throttle actuation from the cockpit.
Now is not the time for a ‘stuck-open’ throttle.


For your ‘first start’, use the cold start enrichment.
Temporarily wire manual actuation with a long wire to the cockpit or outside.
Do not use ‘ether’ starting fluid (it has octane rating of about 10).
Using a squirt bottle of gasoline is very, very dangerous.

Do your ‘first start’ outside, away from your garage.
Don’t ‘hurry’ the process – think things through.
Have a knowledgeable helper standing by upwind with a LARGE CO2 fire extinguisher.
Discuss what to do.
Start the engine without the air filter assembly in place (you can have a fire inside and not know it until the plastic melts).
Blasting with the CO2 will very effectively ‘turn off’ a running engine without damage.



Your caution is well placed.
The ‘first start’ usually happen perfectly.
It is the chance of the other outcome is the concern.
Careful preparation prevents problems.

Your first observations are: no fire, no fuel leak, good oil pressure, no big oil leaks and (finally) running on all six cylinders.

Enjoy the moment (and post a video).

Best,
Grady