Engine on stand starting question

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Syleng1

Syleng1

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I’ve never tried this but had any one ever started an engine on an engine stand from the front of the engine?
I don’t want to invest in a run stand because I would need a fly wheel and bell housings to do so. Not even sure I even need to prestart an engine after rebuild. It is going in a full sized van after the machine shop work and the do not have a dyno. It is a lot of work to get to the start part on a van. If any issue - well I guess I will have to deal with it. Stock rebuild on a 318 (74’)
 
There’s likely all kinds of videos of people running them basically sitting on the floor, or a transport stand, etc.

If you want to run it for “a while” then it gets more complicated.
 
My concern would be the torque involved once (and/or “if”) it got running, as the engine stands I’m thinking of are awfully narrow, and I’d be worried about it falling over.
 
You could use a hub from a blower off of a fuel car with the one way clutch, then use the same starter they use.
 
RustyRatRod said:
How would you start the engine from the front?
Click to expand...
just like they did in the teens with a hand crank ( just kidding) top fuel and others use a starter motor that engages with the front of the crank

you could also make a starter motor that engages the crank pully via a v belt. its just ratios and a powerful enough motor
 
Dana67Dart said:
just like they did in the teens with a hand crank ( just kidding) top fuel and others use a starter motor that engages with the front of the crank

you could also make a starter motor that engages the crank pully via a v belt. its just ratios and a powerful enough motor
Click to expand...
Meh, actually, it engages the front of the blower pulley. At least the ones I've seen. Same essential thing, though.
 
If you have a band saw (or even cutoff wheel) you could get some plate steel, maybe just 1/8” thick that engages the two bolts in the block and has a spot cut out for the starter to bolt to. Use the front of the trans as your template with cardboard or poster board. Then just bolt on the flex plate and converter (drained of course).
 
I left the auto trans on them and straddle the trans and started them on the ground. Burned a good pair of shoe strings off my boots. Keep your feet out from under the manifolds if they have no pipes on them.
 
You can start it on the ground with a trans on it. It won't tip over. No need to sit on it and burn your boots, or worse. Put a block of wood under each side engine mount

You will need a radiator so you can run. It and break in the camshaft.

All this talk of making something to start it from the front, you will waste a lot of time and maybe end up in the ER. Just bolt an automatic trans to it and loop the cooler lines to each other.
 
Syleng1 said:
I’ve never tried this but had any one ever started an engine on an engine stand from the front of the engine?
I don’t want to invest in a run stand because I would need a fly wheel and bell housings to do so. Not even sure I even need to prestart an engine after rebuild. It is going in a full sized van after the machine shop work and the do not have a dyno. It is a lot of work to get to the start part on a van. If any issue - well I guess I will have to deal with it. Stock rebuild on a 318 (74’)
Click to expand...


i did this awhile back. Has brackets for the starter, special flexplate, and various radiator, fuel tank and gage mounting. PM me if interested.

EDIT: I didn't mention that what is shown is a standard engine build stand, not a dedicated run stand. Same stand anyone building an engine would already have.
 
Last edited:
Oldmanmopar said:
I left the auto trans on them and straddle the trans and started them on the ground. Burned a good pair of shoe strings off my boots. Keep your feet out from under the manifolds if they have no pipes on them.
Click to expand...
Be a good footwarmer in the winter. lol
 
Mean416 said:


i did this awhile back. Has brackets for the starter, special flexplate, and various radiator, fuel tank and gage mounting. PM me if interested.
Click to expand...

Kinda. What I wanted to do was start it with a belt starter (instead of an alternator, it’s a electric motor that drives a belt) to make sure it runs with a gauge on oil pressure and a coolant loop. Not for break in but to make sure it fires over and can run for a few minutes and builds coolant pressure quickly. Due to the complexity of van engine replacement. But what I’m realizing is building a run stand may not be a bad idea after all.
Thank you.
Syleng1
 
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Sorry :thumbsup:
 
413 said:
You can start it on the ground with a trans on it. It won't tip over. No need to sit on it and burn your boots, or worse. Put a block of wood under each side engine mount

You will need a radiator so you can run. It and break in the camshaft.

All this talk of making something to start it from the front, you will waste a lot of time and maybe end up in the ER. Just bolt an automatic trans to it and loop the cooler lines to each other.
Click to expand...
That takes all the fun out of it in the junk yard years ago. There is nothing like riding the trans reaching over to rev the engine.

Watch out for the rear distributors. The wires back then would juice you up and throw you off like a bull. An old 354 Hemi got me when I was younger. Try picking one of them up from its side.

I can remember my dad asking us who's getting on. We would draw straws for the big Cu.In. engines with AC and Power steering. Fluid squirting in the air from the trans lines and power steering. And the fan throwing up a dust storm. A life experience all should have. Those were the days.
 
Syleng1 said:
I’ve never tried this but had any one ever started an engine on an engine stand from the front of the engine?
I don’t want to invest in a run stand because I would need a fly wheel and bell housings to do so. Not even sure I even need to prestart an engine after rebuild. It is going in a full sized van after the machine shop work and the do not have a dyno. It is a lot of work to get to the start part on a van. If any issue - well I guess I will have to deal with it. Stock rebuild on a 318 (74’)
Click to expand...
I see where you're coming from with the pre-start. It would be pure hell if you went ahead and stabbed it in that van and it had to come back out because it ate the cam or any other reason.
 
Syleng1 said:
I’ve never tried this but had any one ever started an engine on an engine stand from the front of the engine?
I don’t want to invest in a run stand because I would need a fly wheel and bell housings to do so. Not even sure I even need to prestart an engine after rebuild. It is going in a full sized van after the machine shop work and the do not have a dyno. It is a lot of work to get to the start part on a van. If any issue - well I guess I will have to deal with it. Stock rebuild on a 318 (74’)
Click to expand...
Is there a dyno shop in your area that can do it? If you have a new cam to break in you will want it to start quickly and continue to run for the breakin period. While not a guarantee it will be your best chance for a successful cam breakin. A dyno or run in stand might show a leak that needs to be addressed before installation in the van. Good luck with your project.
 

Syleng1 said:
I’ve never tried this but had any one ever started an engine on an engine stand from the front of the engine?
I don’t want to invest in a run stand because I would need a fly wheel and bell housings to do so. Not even sure I even need to prestart an engine after rebuild. It is going in a full sized van after the machine shop work and the do not have a dyno. It is a lot of work to get to the start part on a van. If any issue - well I guess I will have to deal with it. Stock rebuild on a 318 (74’)
Click to expand...

I walked into a machine shop one time and a well known racer / machinist had a very hot SBC on an engine stand , he revved it well over 7000 ish , me and my partner started backing up (being used to the torque of a 426 hemi) , but the 300 something Chevy did even rock the engine stand.
That guy later went on to work for reher and morrisson...
 
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