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How to spin engine sans wiring harness?

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MisterB

MisterB

Senior Member
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Hi Folks-
Been welding away on the '67 BJ8 getting a sound structure. I'd like to spin up the engine for an oil pressure/ compression reading. Now for the tricky part. The drivetrain is sitting it it's place but no wiring harness. Do I just hook jumper cables to a battery positive to block and ground to starter solenoid and touch the ground to the battery terminal and voila! the engine will spin or will I blow something to smithereens?
Of course I will put a fresh filter element and some throwaway oil before doing this. I figure the economy size 30 weight (yep, 2-1/2 gallon farm size!) will cut the trick for this, draining and tossing after a couple of compression runs.
Any landmines to step on here? Am I oversimplifying at my own peril? Should I stick to wrenching on a Briggs and Stratton? Stay tuned for the exciting and possibly flame-roasted answer!

Thanks again!
Mike Burgess
Albert, KS
 
Set of booster cables and a battery is all you need and if you have the push button solenoid for the starter your good if not just power the starter direct . What harm can you possibly do you have no fuel and no ignition all you are doing is mechanical motion of parts . Just keep your fingers away from moving parts like rad fans etc .
 
Thank you. I didn't foresee any problems but when in doubt, defer to the gurus! If the engine checks out for comp and oil pressure I may set up a test panel to see if it will fire but first things first.
 
MisterB said:
Do I just
hook jumper cables to a battery positive to block and
ground to starter solenoid and
touch the ground to the battery terminal and voila!
Click to expand...

Just as a point of clarity and safety....
Connect the jumper cables to the battery first and locate it away from the car.
Connect one jumper lead to the solenoid terminal with cable going to the starter motor (not the one with the brown wires).
When you are ready to turn the engine over, jam or clamp the other jumper lead to a good earth ground point on the engine block or a starter mounting bolt.
 
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