pismorat
1/2 ton status
Is it OK to start an engine with the transfer case and transmission removed? I am getting ready to do a swap and have removed the tranny and t-case, but want to run the motor before I pull it this weekend.
CK5
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Start engine uncoupled?
- Thread starter pismorat
- Start date
It won't mind! Don't be worried if the flex plate looks like it is wobbling all over the place, that is normal behaviour
I start them on the engine stand all the time. I think I'd try to support it with a jack or something under the oil pan just to keep it from wobbling, but I've never tried it in the truck w/o the drive line so I may be wrong.
I would just make sure it isn't 'tilted' too much (rear hanging low, front lifted high). You don't want to ruin your shroud or distributor cap when firing it up (plus your carb angle would be horrible). If you prop up the rear, make sure that it is secured well, the engine obviously will shake - and we all get excited when we fire up an engine and burp the throttle a couple of times! 
I had an Olds 307 hanging off my engine crane when I started it for someone who wanted to buy it off me. The engine was just starting up while dangling there, but I nearly tipped the whole thing over when I blipped the throttle for a second. There is a lot of rotational torque going on in there!
fmstruck
1/2 ton status
It will work, but it would be better if you could borrow a flywheel instead of a flexplate.
George_Pimpdaddy
1/2 ton status
Ummm there the same thing.. and if you didn't have one on then how do you intend to start it?
Ummm there the same thing.. and if you didn't have one on then how do you intend to start it?
Same idea, but one is for a manual trans, and one is for an auto......
It'll start and idle much better with a torque converter on the flex plate,its the "flywheel" when an automatic is used..ever try starting a lawn mower with no blade??..well,a car engine is kinds like that,only not as bad..the harmonic balancer helps add a bit of flywheel effect...
We used to start engines on the ground at the junkyard often to show customers they ran ok,but usually left the trannys on them,then pulled them apart if the sale was made..only ran a few without a tranny hanging from a chain on the bucket loader,and it was kinda scary..we prefered to leave them in the car till someone bought them,or left the tranny attached..just remember to join the tranny cooler hoses with rubber hose and clamps,or be ready for a dextron shower!..
We used to start engines on the ground at the junkyard often to show customers they ran ok,but usually left the trannys on them,then pulled them apart if the sale was made..only ran a few without a tranny hanging from a chain on the bucket loader,and it was kinda scary..we prefered to leave them in the car till someone bought them,or left the tranny attached..just remember to join the tranny cooler hoses with rubber hose and clamps,or be ready for a dextron shower!..
i run motors at work all the time just sitting in a couple old tires with a garden hose run to it...
lot of 454's and 502's...
lot of 454's and 502's...
btw, I laughed my arse off reading this title... an inboard boat transmission is attached to the prop shaft by a "coupling".. i use that term just about every damn day..... 
