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948 Bugeye Out of Chassis Start-Up

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erstearns

Jedi Trainee
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I have a desire to test fire the engine before sending it off to be rebuilt. It currently is bolted to an engine stand. I intend to fill the pots up with fuel and give it a go, fire extenguisher in hand. My only question is can I direct connect the negative side of the battery to the coil without going the usual route thru the Voltage regulator etc.? I have two engines that are candidates to put in and or rebuild. One looks to have been rebuilt at some time in the past, wrong color, orange ptex stuff on gaskets etc. and good compression although a little hig (160 or so on all). The other is a complete engine and trans I picked up but dont know anything more than "it ran when pulled" and has been painted (to disuise what?). Curious if either runs, want to give it a try. Any thoughts.
 
Eric, you can hook whichever side of the battery is correct to the coil with no problem. But, clamp the appropriate ground cable to the block, and use a small wire from the battery to the coil.
However, I would STRONGLY advise against starting the engine on the stand. You would be far safer just to set it on the floor, and steady it with your hand, rather than taking the chance of having the engine stand fall over.
Don't forget to hook an oil pressure gauge to the outlet port, or you will get extemely wet and oily!
Don't run it any more than absolutely necessary, as these tend to overheat quickly without coolant going through them, and you could conceivably do some damage.
I would also make sure that I had a firm grip on the wire going to the coil, so as to be able to pull it off immediately if there is a problem. Chasing a dancing, running, engine around the garage with a fire extinguisher could be fun too watch, but it's nothing I would want to try!
I've got a "dead man" switch in a jumper wire that I use. It's just a small, pushbutton, normally open switch, that I have to keep depressed to run the engine. As soon as I release it, the engine quits.
Good luck!
Jeff

[ 03-07-2004: Message edited by: Bugeye58 ]</p>
 
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