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Starting An Engine That's Out Of The Car

33408 Views 17 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  mad hooker, 
C
I recently bought a Chevy motor (1974 350) that was already out of the vehicle. I did some basic things to it, like; new gaskets, changed the oil, new spark plugs/wires, cleaned up most everything, etc. The motor is put back together for the most part, except the radiator hoses, fuel lines, vacuum hoses, etc. Basically, what I do have attached are the headers, the carb (no lines ran yet), the water pump, belts, starter/solenoid, altenator, spark plugs and distributor. I'm wanting to start the motor as it sits for about 5 seconds to make sure it runs before I put it in my vehicle. So, my question is; what all needs to be hooked up in order for me to be able to start it for a few seconds without damaging it? And how do I go about starting it?

Obviously I'm not the most mechanical person, but I'm trying to learn as I go. Thanks for any helpful input.
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D
If you fill the carburetor through the vent tube, you won't even need a fuel line. About all you need will be a hot wire for the coil/distributor and a battery to power the starter. I'd take all the belts off so you don't get anything caught in anything too.
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C
Got it, thanks a lot.
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R
I would run it for more than five seconds. Get some water to it, leave belts all hooked up. Ground the engine off to the neg post on the battery, wire from dist to postive on battery, wire from starter to pos on battery, an wire from starter as your cranken wire, just touched to pos of battery. And it should fire up.
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R
Do you have the engine on a stand? If so, what kind of stand? 3 leg or 4 leg? Be extremely careful! A falling engine can do a lot of damage!
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T
speaking of starting an engine sans car...there was a thread here a couple days ago where the guy started his engine on the hoist. I would never try that, but thought it was kinda funny. Anyone know where that thread is?
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wihaltom
I have my engine sitting on one of those roll-around engine stands that bolt to the engine mount holes. It's very stable. Would it be safe to run the engine like that? It sits only a couple of inches off the floor so falling would not be a problem unless it torques over. It will be several months before I install the engine and it has been sitting like that for over a year. I would really liike to hear it run.
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5
Years ago I started a small v6 out of a car and don't get caught off guard, even a small rev will cause it to want to torque over. When I think of a 700HP motor tied to the frame by two pieces of rubber under WOT I am more amazed now than ever. It's no wonder these cars twist.
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C
Thanks for the info. I may just wait and fire it up once I get it in the vehicle. I have the fenders and front end off anyway, so it won't be difficult at all to throw it in there. If I do decide to start it before hand though, I have the engine on an engine stand with a little bit of tension takin off the stand with a hoist as well. From your all's input, I assume it will be fine to start for a few seconds with the engine support I have...and not reving it just to be safe.
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T
what makes you think it won't run? as long as nothing inside is broken, it is just a matter of getting fuel and ignition set and it should run. I say (especially if you have fender off) just throw it in and then start it in the car.
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R
I am the guy who started the engine on the hoist, sometimes you have to make do with what cha got:thumbsup:.
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O
wihaltom said:
I have my engine sitting on one of those roll-around engine stands that bolt to the engine mount holes. It's very stable. Would it be safe to run the engine like that? It sits only a couple of inches off the floor so falling would not be a problem unless it torques over. It will be several months before I install the engine and it has been sitting like that for over a year. I would really liike to hear it run.
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go for it then. You are hanging out here with a bunch of guys who think that crap is fun. And I yanked the 6 cyl out of my 64 a couple weekends ago and I just couldn't take it, I had to do it I just friggin had to no 2 ways about it,,,,, I started that little thing on the hoist for about 15 seconds. yeah sure it torqued when it busted off but I had a deathgrip on it.

here's a pic of exactly what you are wanting to do. keep your wheel studs tightened where they come up thru that square tubing and everything will be just fine. They don't hardly torque at all on a stand of some sort because there is actually very little taking place other than accelerating the rotator, no load = no torque.
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P
If you're concerned about the engine torqueing over, attach a length of 2x4 lumber across the bottom of the stand as an outrigger. Fire that puppy up! If you're only gonna run it for a few seconds, as stated above you won't need a fuel line or coolant, just fill the carb bowl and go for it.
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Schurkey
3
This is a Pontiac which has about an hour of run time on this stand. The Olds before this one had about 3 hours on the stand. Next up: 454 Chevy.

Yes, I have to be careful about sudden throttle movement. The engine hoist is supporting the front of the engine via a chain to a bracket near the waterpump. Otherwise...no problem at all.

The radiator/gauge stand is just exhaust tubing that's been bent to provide "legs"; and with various brackets and an upper radiator support from a Nova or somesuch. Two casters make it easy to fold up and roll around.




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C
3
find an old subframe cheap 50-100 bucks and build a start cart like i did!! i use it to break in new engines etc..
this an old 68 camaro frame


here is a video of it with a new 327
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C
i use an empty trans for mounting stability, I think i have about 200 bucks in it total from a bunch of parts and scrap i had lying around!!
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C
I'm sure it will run. I kinda just wanted to check for any leaks or anything like that, so that it would be easier to repair while it's out of the vehicle.
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M
that sub frame idea is great! i would have never have thought of that! just gotta have enough room for it.
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