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Test Run an engine out of the car questions 444-544

Hi guys.
I'm going to be test running an engine out of the car. It's an air cooled engine so it's not as big a deal I would guess. I'm asking the Volvo guys because I like you and you are not mean towards my ignorance.

I just need to run it long enough to make sure it works so I'll just have carbs, a fuel source, a battery, and the tranny and starter mounted so I can turn it over.

Do I need to get one of those cheap remote start buttons to do this or can I just do it some other way.? And as far as hooking the battery up---Pos and Neg as normal, but do I need to ground the negative to something other than the engine tranny set up.?

Any help or breakdown of how it should be done would be great.

Thanks








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Thanks for the help guys! 444-544








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Test Run an engine out of the car questions 444-544

It's not that difficult or dangerous. 12V to the coil, fuel to carbs via fuel pump, and ground the engine to the battery. Touch a 12V jumper to the small starter solenoid connection to start it.

I used to start Type 1 engines on the ground by hooking up 12V and fuel, and using the ring gear like a kick starter. Just put your foot on it and give it a good shove.

To stop the engine, disconnect the 12V lead to the coil.

I once ran a Buick 455 on an tripod engine stand for a minute or two. I did use an engine hoist to help support and stabilize it, (400+ lb engine on a tripod stand? Yikes!), but it wasn't a problem.

The only thing that would make your engine "jump" around is the torque due to the angular acceleration of the whirly bits, and that you can control with the throttle.








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Test Run an engine out of the car questions 444-544

I've done it with water-cooled engines, so I just needed the addition of a garden hose feeding the cooling jacket. I was doing an MG Midget/AH Sprite engine, and a 4-cyl marine engine. They both had nice flat oil pans, so I just set them on a board and didn't bother tying them down. It was fine.

However, strapping it to a good base (like a pallet or something) with some ratchet straps, rope, or whatever would not be a bad idea. Also, I think I have done it hanging on an engine hoist (with the addition of a tether rope).

With jumper cables, put the pos (assuming neg ground system) cable to the lug on the starter that normally goes to the battery. Some black tape on that connection may be a good idea. Put the negative to a good ground on the engine.

Run some small wires from the batt to the coil to energize that. Alligator clips would be ideal so that they don’t stay on when you don’t need them. Then, if your starter has the small connection for the exciter wire, just jump from that to the hot lug on the starter to crank it. If your starter uses a heavy remote solenoid, you may have to incorporate that or else use something heavier than small wire between the starter lugs.

Be careful with that remote fuel source. Consider running it just on a carb full. That will automatically limit the run time if something goes wrong. You don't want to end up with a big gasoline leak, a loose battery, and a loose engine.

Also, you didn’t say what kind of engine this is. If it’s an aircraft engine, you’d best post back and fess up because there are other considerations to be made.

Charley








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Test Run an engine out of the car questions 444-544

Thanks Charley.
It's a Porsche 914 engine, which is pretty much just a Type IV VW engine. The bottom is flat and square. I was just going to strap it down to a square of plywood. I've seen videos of people running them right on the ground, but they get tippy when they revved them.

So, if I get the motor running--to shut it off I would just disconnect the wire from the battery to the coil? What's the safest or best way to shut it down?

Thanks,
Sam








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Test Run an engine out of the car questions 444-544

Sam,

Yes, disconnecting the wire to the coil would shut it down.

Charley








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Test Run an engine out of the car questions 444-544

Are you doing this with the engine mounted in a stand of some sort or just out on the garage floor? I don't think I would try it without it being secured. The torque of the engine would probably flop it around on the floor like a fish out of water :-)

Be extremely careful when making electrical connections. Any arcing near a battery that may be emitting hydrogen can explode the battery spoiling not only your day but your eyesight and facial skin as well.

Overall I would advise against your plan.

Randy







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