Starting motor out of car

[murisgar]

What is the best way to run a motor out of the car? I would like to adjust everything before installing the motor.

Thanks

Joe Murillo

[CoolTool]

A couple of weeks ago, I did the same thing you are wanting to do. I have a 73 1.7L. Fortunately, I had my wiring harness out of the car, so I just plugged everything back in like it should be, on the garage floor, and ran the engine out. In my own opinion, I don't see why you couldn't just plug the relay board in and the FI harness (if yours is FI) and supply 12VDC to the pins that should have power supplied to them. If you don't have FI, then all you should need (I think) is power to the coil.

[Rich Hilgersom]

I would not feel comfortable running an engine on the floor, some breakage may occur.

I got some help on this topic at
http://shoptalkforums.com/bbs/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&number=1

A 091 bus trans bellhousing will mount to the type 4 and then to a standard V8 style engine stand. From there a test stand can be made.

I ordered mine. Pics if you want them.

There are many horror stories from starting engines where there was no consideration for safety or engine protection. If you cant spend the time to do it safely, put the engine in the car. Better to pull the engine a few times than to miss working fingers.

-Rich

[TimW]

I’ve never done it before, but I always thought if I did I’d lag bolt the motor x-bar to a 10’ 4x4, and do something similar at the tranny end. Wire hook-ups as described above, hot wire the fuel pump keeping it in place and using really long fuel lines. Put the tranny in 5th to minimize drag and not worry about the clutch.

In the end I did as Rich suggested and conceded to pulling the engine a few times.

[BenI]

Ive started several on the ground with no problem, but they didnt have FI. I put the engines and tranny (necessary for starter motor) on blocks-under sump, exhaust pipe risers, and tranny. Filled the carb bowl(s) with fuel, powered the coil and started it up. Theyre completely balanced so dont walk around on you. Good luck!

[Doug M]

I have also done it several times and I am going to start my 2.0L soon. It is nice to be able to adj, the valves with it on the ground not to mention if you had any real problems.
Doug

[mike mueller]

This shouldn't be a big deal if you are safe with it, as in the motor assembly on a study stand (not engine stand)

we had a guy in my powerplant class fire up a 12 cylinder Merlin engine with a test stand made of wood........

the important things to watch out for is anything that is turning (fan) since you don't want to get your clothes in it. The fuel lines and where they go are important also.