So, I've got my car to the point where it is almost ready for paint. My plans were as follows:

1. Final block the car and get it ready for paint.
2. Take the body back off the frame and paint the floors, firewall, dash, underhood, etc.
3. Put the body back on for good and cut in the jambs, doors, hood edges, trunk, etc.
4. Take it to the booth and paint the rest of the car.

Here is where I need some help. When I restored the chassis, I changed out the cam, went to a roller setup so new lifters, cam and pushrods. Changed intakes and went to an efi setup. I basically had it down to a shortblock and replaced all the gaskets so I knew what I had. (the motor was in the car when I got it)

My dilemma is that the motor has never been started since I went through it, a little over a year now. What I'm thinking is that before I take the body back off to paint the floors,etc, I should get a base tune in the efi setup and get the thing started. That way, I can at least verify I have no massive leaks and the thing runs. The last thing I want to do is have the entire car painted and find out there is a reason to pull the motor back out, or make a mess of the paint with a bunch of oil.

I think I talked myself into getting it running now, but it's a lot of extra work, but just might be worth it. Only thing I really need to buy now is an efi tank. (was putting that off as long as possible)

Thoughts?

I can't tell you how important it can be to put the motor on a dyno before putting it in the chassis! You find oil and exhaust leaks that you thought were not there, if you have aluminum heads you will find they need to be torqued again (as will many of the gaskets due to heat expansion and contraction), and checking oil pressure, thermostat, tuning, all are much better done with the engine out.

If it blows up for some reason it is a lot easier to fix too!

You won't regret taking this path.

Ron