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Start and run engine without body.

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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 07:13 PM
  #1  
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Default Start and run engine without body.

My body is off and I have about finished everything on the frame and motor side. Before I put the body back on I would like to start and run the motor and rebuilt transmission, check for leaks and in general see if they work. I know which wires to connect, but wondering about hooking up the radiator. Could I just take the radiator mount from the body and bolt it to the frame and hook it up? What other things should I look for?

Right now I am having a problem with oil getting to the upper end and if this thing is going to crater I would rather it be with the body off.

Thanks Dave.
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 07:23 PM
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There is no mentality in a engine. It doesn't know a frame from a engine stand...it merely performs where ever its located...wont hurt a thing,,,if it makes you feel better hook up the radiator and give it a thorough checkout.....
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 08:03 PM
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I would solve the oil problem before I started it regardless of anything else.
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 08:21 PM
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I'm not an expert but I think I've read that you have to have the correct tool to pre-oil with or a modified distributor. If your just spinning the oil pump shaft I'm not sure you will get oil to everything. You may be doing it right, I'm just throwing it out there for thought.

Never mind I just read the pre-oil thread.

Last edited by GT's 78; Apr 1, 2012 at 08:33 PM.
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 08:44 PM
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[QUOTE=oledave60;1580441396]... I know which wires to connect, but wondering about hooking up the radiator. Could I just take the radiator mount from the body and bolt it to the frame and hook it up? .../QUOTE]

Yes, I have the front clip off, so to run the engine I have the radiator core support bolted to the frame and the radiator connected as normal, no problem.
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 10:02 PM
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just connect up some gauges, and a couple wires.
easy to do...



this picture shows the wire I ran to hold up the support and radiator.

Last edited by 69Vett; Apr 1, 2012 at 10:06 PM.
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Old Apr 2, 2012 | 12:58 AM
  #7  
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Here's a link to the thread where I asked a similar question:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...-body-off.html
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Old Apr 2, 2012 | 02:21 AM
  #8  
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Default Simple starter wiring

Hi, This is what I used on my 69 as a temporary wiring setup. It's a points ignition system and needs the ballast in place of the resistance wire in the loom. You can get a ballast resistor at most auto parts stores.

Joe
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...ane/wiring.jpg
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Old Apr 2, 2012 | 09:45 AM
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I see no reason you cant do this, but I'd for sure hook up some sort of radiator. Surely, if you watch any of the weekend car programs, you'll see them using an engine test stand, simulating exactly what you're talking about.
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Old Apr 2, 2012 | 10:02 AM
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If you have an engine driven fan, make sure to use a radiator shroud to pull more air. Otherwise, the angle between the fan and radiator will cause a loss of effectiveness of pulling air - it will probably overheat after awhile.
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Old Apr 2, 2012 | 11:09 AM
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if it's a newly rebuilt engine, it's going to get hot quickly. as mentioned, use a radiator shroud with the fan, or a garden hose that you can use to spray the radiator. a floor fan won't pass air thru the radiator well enough to cool the engine. also make sure you have the timing set and the vaccum advance attached-both will make the engine run a little cooler.
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