Starting up a builder engine for the first time
 

I have a 912 builder engine. Although the case was together the carbs, distributor, etc. all arrived in cardboard boxes. So, after putting it all together, I think, what do I need to do to try and fire it up? Keep it idiot simple guys.

BTW, I don't have exhaust pipes for it. Can I try to fire it up to see if it'll run? Can bad things happen, e.g., my garage blows up and kills me?

The bad thing about running an engine without any exhaust system is that when you shut it down, cold air is right up against the exhaust ports and valve stems and can do bad things to the valves. With an exhaust system in place, at least you have a mass of hot metal between the outside air and the valves. We used to stick tennis balls into short stacks immediately after shutting down to try to ameliorate this effect.

Other than that, the most basic thing is to crank the engine with the plugs out long enough to achieve positive oil pressure before you even begin to think of firing it.

Stephan

Is there a simple wiring diagram that I can follow. The harness for the car is a mess and even if I could find which wire goes where...there's no ignition switch, or key for that matter.

Remote starter button, cheap at FLAPS. All you need is 12 V to the coil on a switch. The no exhaust story is true, but you could run it for a few seconds w/o geetiing the valves hot. But you won't will you? No, if it starts, you'll wanna goose it and play.

Oh, and if it has a new cam, you gotta run it for 20 min or so at mid RPM on first start up.