Thread: run engine w/no alt.

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I'm gonna be wiring up an engine for the first time ever soon. I'm also gonna be changing a cam for the first time, so when I get the new cam in I want to be SURE the engine will start right away so I don't have to crank on it forever.
Therefor, I want to fire up the engine as is before I change the cam. I'm just gonna drop it in place, no cooling system, no belts at all, no tranny.
I was going to wire the alternator the normal way, except it won't be connected to any belts so it won't be turning.
Will this mess anything up?
Will anything I described mess anything up?
The goal here is to learn to wire an engine and time the distributor close enough to fire it up so that I can make mistakes with a completely broken in engine rather than one with a bran new cam.
Maybe this is a bad idea, any input would be app.
Also, I read the thread about running engines with no pipes, I will put the headers on to do this.

Originally posted by tcodi
I'm gonna be wiring up an engine for the first time ever soon. I'm also gonna be changing a cam for the first time, so when I get the new cam in I want to be SURE the engine will start right away so I don't have to crank on it forever.
Therefor, I want to fire up the engine as is before I change the cam. I'm just gonna drop it in place, no cooling system, no belts at all, no tranny.

I would'nt want to start the engine (Especially a fresh engine) with no coolant. It doesn't take long to heat things up. Don't want to warp or crack anything. A quick start and stop probably wouldn't hurt, but why risk it.

No tranny. Are you planning to support a running engine with only the side motor mounts?? Tranny helps hold the engine in the car by (Trans tail shaft mount).

The best insurance for protecting the new cam is to make sure it's lubed properely during installation, and then spin the oil pump before you install the dist. so it gets oil pressure immediately @ initial start-up.

Not wiring the alt. right away won't hurt anything, as long as there's a charge in the batttery to start/run the engine.

well, I'd support the engine in the rear in addition to the side mounts.
I wouldn't run it for more than 10 or 15 seconds, I just want to get it to fire.
Like I said, this task may seem trivial to a guy who's done it numerous times before, but I never have.
I'm just afraid that I'll put my new cam in and end up having something wired slightly wrong and have to crank and crank and crank and crank before I figure out what it is.
This way, I'll figure out the wiring and the timing method for the dist, and get comfortable with it so that I can prepare to break in my new cam with confidence.

Originally posted by tcodi
well, I'd support the engine in the rear in addition to the side mounts.
I wouldn't run it for more than 10 or 15 seconds, I just want to get it to fire.
Like I said, this task may seem trivial to a guy who's done it numerous times before, but I never have.
I'm just afraid that I'll put my new cam in and end up having something wired slightly wrong and have to crank and crank and crank and crank before I figure out what it is.
This way, I'll figure out the wiring and the timing method for the dist, and get comfortable with it so that I can prepare to break in my new cam with confidence.

I think it would be easier to hook the trans. up before firing the engine. Even IF you have electrical or cam problems, that won't require you to take the trans. back out. Seems faster to hook the trans. up than to rig up a make shift rear engine mount. Safer too. If you have an automatic, I wouldn't want to run the engine without the converter or ....................... if a manual, a clutch assembly.

the thing is, I don't have a trans. yet.
It will be a manual.
I have the flywheel in place, no clutch/press. plate though.
Maybe I will just wire everything, but not actually crank the engine. Maybe I'll just see if the starter works properly and hook up the dist. and everything.
Is there a way to see if the dist. is working properly?
If I turn the rotor by hand, and avoid shocking myself, will it send a spark to the plug?
I guess it should.