Run engine without coolant/radiator?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 530
Likes: 360
From: San Clemente CA
Run engine without coolant/radiator?
I'm planning on painting my car in a couple of months and have found a local body shop that will rent me their paint booth. The radiator and support have been removed to get access to some areas that will need to be painted.
Since I will need to trailer the car to the paint shop, I wonder if it is OK to start and run the engine to drive it out my garage and onto the trailer and then into the paint booth without the radiator and coolant. Should I remove the fan belt? I'm pretty sure it will be OK, but wanted to get the forum member's opinion.
Since I will need to trailer the car to the paint shop, I wonder if it is OK to start and run the engine to drive it out my garage and onto the trailer and then into the paint booth without the radiator and coolant. Should I remove the fan belt? I'm pretty sure it will be OK, but wanted to get the forum member's opinion.
Last edited by Ktholin; Feb 9, 2021 at 09:02 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
I'm planning on painting my car in a couple of months and have found a local body shop that will rent me their paint booth. The radiator and support have been removed to get access to some areas that will need to be painted.
Since I will need to trailer the car to the paint shop, I wonder if it is OK to start and run the engine to drive it out my garage and onto the trailer and then into the paint booth without the radiator and coolant. Should I remove the fan belt? I'm pretty sure it will be OK, but wanted to get the forum member's opinion.
Since I will need to trailer the car to the paint shop, I wonder if it is OK to start and run the engine to drive it out my garage and onto the trailer and then into the paint booth without the radiator and coolant. Should I remove the fan belt? I'm pretty sure it will be OK, but wanted to get the forum member's opinion.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Feb 9, 2021 at 09:11 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 192
From: Northwestern Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '26
short run usually is fine, but have a stop watch, maybe 2 mins max. If the radiator is out, I'd pull the belt from the water pump, plug or duct tape the water pump fittings and fill the motor with water up to the top, that would take away the chance of hot spots and allow for a few mins of safe running imo.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,436
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From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
When I run my engines to check for leaks . I use a piece of PVC pipe w 2- 90's on it and the rad hoses to connect inlet and outlet together, fill with water or antifreeze. I then can run the engine till it gets warm- safely. You should do the same, I don't like the idea of a dry engine running and for sure don't run the water pump dry.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 192
From: Northwestern Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '26
I like the expanding plug idea, going to have to get some of those from home depot or lowes just for such emergencies. I've had it with newer vehicles where I'm waiting for parts and need to slide one to the side, that would be a great way of keeping water in the motor and also not making a mess.
Last edited by 68sixspeed; Feb 9, 2021 at 11:48 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
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From: Greenville, Indiana
A buddy of mine had a '58 270/283 as his daily driver. Had to drive about 5-6 miles to work, one way. He let it freeze up because of no anti-freeze. The block would no longer hold water so he drove it to work anyway. He'd drive about halfway in the afternoon and stop at the gas station hangout and let it cool a little, then drive on to work. When he got off work, he'd drive about halfway to the drive-in restaurant everybody hung out at and let it cool again.
That went on for about three years or so.
Two minutes with no water in the engine? I don't see any issue at all. Most car heaters I'm used to take longer than that to start blowing warm air.
I wouldn't fill the block with water. If the water gets hot, guess what's going to happen?
That went on for about three years or so.
Two minutes with no water in the engine? I don't see any issue at all. Most car heaters I'm used to take longer than that to start blowing warm air.
I wouldn't fill the block with water. If the water gets hot, guess what's going to happen?
