Engine on hoist startup

[Rabbit TD]

I am curious if anyone has tried this before.  What are your thoughts of starting an engine, 1600TD, while it is being supported by the engine hoist with the chain attached normaly and lowered to the floor being supported with a tire to somewhat stabilize it,with the hoist still holding it from going too far left or right.  This is a new rebuild and I would like to start it and make sure I don't have any major problems which would result in pulling the motor again.  I know the clutch, flywheel transmission and all will need to be on to use the starter which most of would be on anyway for the normal instalation.  I have an extra radiator, all hoses, an extra fuel filter assembly and cooling reservoir, even a short pipe  with resonator for the exhaust from the turbo, everything needed to do this.  I'd just like  to start the engine while it's out with an oil pressure gauge on it and just run it enought to warm it up a little checking for leaks, oil pressure and make sure the IP and injectors all work and the pump doesn't leak, it has been resealed in the front already. Just start it to make sure nothing major is wrong as it would be easier to fix now and not have to have the car tied up after pulling the engine in it now.  We did this years ago on an old 283 Chevy just for about 30 seconds while it was being supported and just squirting a little fuel in the carb to keep it going and had no problems.   Any thoughts?

[Mark(The Miser)UK]

The fact that you have to bolt so much on, and  support the attachments somewhat, it would, IMO, honestly be easier as you have a hoist, to simply put the engine back in the car. This would give you a true picture of smoothness of operation.

 Doing it 'on the bench' if there is  no fault then you still have to unbolt everything, anyway but if you do it in the car you do not. If there is a fault, then all atachments unbolt easily because you have only just assembled. I'd only consider a stand alone test if there was nowhere for the engine to go, ie a spare engine.... This is just my oppinion, but why guarantee extra work?... Unless you regard assembly/disassembly as fun :shock:

[the caveman]

Some where on this site there is a video of some guys firing up a diesel while it's hanging from a crane. I beleive it's the guys from Giles performance starting a 5 cyl audi with a super pump. All to say it can be done, just don't lift it too high and put a couple of tires under so if it shakes itself off it'll land on something and not smash into bits.

[theman53]

Definately can be done. Kind of hillbilly, but I have done it before so I am for the idea :lol: . It would probably work best on a stand or supported somehow. If you could hold onto it with chains or something as soon as it starts spinning would be nice.

[Mark(The Miser)UK]

Anyone comment on the advantages? If there is a vibration issue how do you assess the seriousness without the inertia of a 1 tonne car attached?

[blackdogvan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6fYi13CBlU&feature=channel_page

[danwithagolf]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e21ek72Gzps

[Dakotakid]

I set the engine/transmission combo on large wood blocks and it works fine. I always used to do this. The engine is not going to move about like a shark freshly pulled out of the water...and if it does vibrate about a little the damn thing is only about 200 lbs and you can stabilize it with your hands/arms.

I quit starting these up recently and it will be a practice I get back to. Why? Because on the 2nd to the last rebuild, the machine shop failed to get the small 15.5 mm softplug on the back of the block set properly....after two attempts  :evil:  and I had that engine in and out a total of three times before the sum*** was correctly installed!!!!!!

Your's is a good idea and it has been done before.
My edit: just make sure you have enough of the intake put together in case you get a little (shall we say....) REV happy and it takes off on its own oil for fuel. It is really had to resist revving the piss out of it (I can never resist anyway) and you need a sure-fire way to shut off that oxygen if you reach the point of no return.

[53 willys]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e21ek72Gzps

hahahaha awesome!!
 :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

[Mark(The Miser)UK]

OK I concede it didn't seem a problem....
I don't want to appear like those who worry about putting butane in a/c  setups :wink:
Has anyone started up one running on 2 or 3 cylinders  :?: :mrgreen:

[Op-Ivy]

Really watch when starting it up on a hoist. You can see in the 5 cylinder engine video that it really torques a lot when started or revved.

[arb]

Really watch when starting it up on a hoist. You can see in the 5 cylinder engine video that it really torques a lot when started or revved.

With no covers on the timing belt, its a good way to modify your fingers ;-)