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Running up a V8 on an engine stand


MogLite

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I've got a nice 3.9 V8 at home. Its currently surplus to requirements, so I'm gonna sell it.

However as I've got all the ancilaries for the EFI and stuff, I figured it might be possible to get it running on the stand - to demonstrate to prospective purchasers.

The alternator and power-steering pump are currently off so thats easy

I've got a spare battery - no problemo there.

I've wired up hotwire from scratch on MogLite - so that should be okay.

I think I know how I'm going to do a little 5 litre fuel tank/pump assembly.

I don't have any oil cooler or radiator, and can't be a5sed setting them up anyway.

But I reckon if I join the oil pipes together so they form a loop, it will survive without water for 30 second demonstration runs ?

I dont have any exhaust system - not even manifolds, but I do have a decent open space and a variety of fire-extinguisers.

An oil pressure light and a kill switch will probably feature in the build up.

Any reason why I shouldn't do it ?

What have I forgotten ?

Yes there will be video of me burning down the neighbourhood :o

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I've got a nice 3.9 V8 at home. Its currently surplus to requirements, so I'm gonna sell it.

However as I've got all the ancilaries for the EFI and stuff, I figured it might be possible to get it running on the stand - to demonstrate to prospective purchasers.

The alternator and power-steering pump are currently off so thats easy

I've got a spare battery - no problemo there.

I've wired up hotwire from scratch on MogLite - so that should be okay.

I think I know how I'm going to do a little 5 litre fuel tank/pump assembly.

I don't have any oil cooler or radiator, and can't be a5sed setting them up anyway.

But I reckon if I join the oil pipes together so they form a loop, it will survive without water for 30 second demonstration runs ?

I dont have any exhaust system - not even manifolds, but I do have a decent open space and a variety of fire-extinguisers.

An oil pressure light and a kill switch will probably feature in the build up.

Any reason why I shouldn't do it ?

What have I forgotten ?

Yes there will be video of me burning down the neighbourhood :o

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When you run up an outboard on land there is a clever thing called an earmuff. It looks a bit like rubber earmuffs hence the name. Anyway, it goes on the end of a garden hose and fits over the cooling impeller grilles. So when you run the engine it still sucks up some water and circulates it about. You could do the same thing really easily with a garden hose in the top of the engine and a rag in the end of the lower hose to slow throughput. It wouldnt be massively efficient but would make a difference, especially with that ally/cast iron mix in that block...

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I can't see any problems with doing this as I did this once with a V6 Essex engine!

Mine was just sat on the garage floor on the sump with a block of wood under the front :ph34r: It was surprisingly stable when running!

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Did the same with a Series 1 2.0ltr on the floor.

Mind you that has a very flat and thick sump.

As it had a carb I just poured in some petrol, no water or exhaust connnected.

10 sec or less to show it running.

On the floor it can't go far, on a stand it I guess it needs to be very stable?

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I strapped a V8 to a pallet, ran a hose through similar as described, oil light (just in case), no exhaust but had manifolds.... The petrol was supplied from an EP 90 bottle hanging from the roof.

When it started, I near cr@pped myself! Shut it down and did four laps of the garage.... then did it again.

I don't know what you can actually guage from running it up without manifolds for 30 secs, but it is good for a laugh. If you just wanted to show the oil light go out, whip the plugs out and wind it on the starter.

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I don't know what you can actually guage from running it up without manifolds for 30 secs, but it is good for a laugh. If you just wanted to show the oil light go out, whip the plugs out and wind it on the starter.

Good for a laugh is reason enough :lol:

But with a working hotwire EFI ready to drop into a Landie/Kit-car could make it a sweet purchase for somebody ? No dead Range Rover or wiring nightmares - almost plug'n'play :unsure:

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There was a chap called Freddie Dixon who used to tune Riley racing engines by looking at the colour of the flames coming out of the exhaust ports, no manifold. He used to do this in the dark at night to see the flames better, in his garage at home!

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I ran a Norton Commando with no pipes at all - surprisingly not too noisy... Flames were great!

Then ran it with just the headers... OK

Then ran it with reverse-cone-meggas (remember them?) and blew the head of Mum's roses at three yards! :o It was louder than with nothing :)

As for the V8 - I think that fire is a small worry as long as you don't spill any fuel, but make sure that either it's bolted down well - or that you don't get over enthusiastic with blipping the throttle :lol: Or... set up a vijo camera to get the whole thing with a wide enough zoom to catch it spinning sideways through the shed wall ;)

But seriously... If you do it, video it pretty-please :D

TS

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Moglite, you know those 3.9 manifolds and downpipes I bought from you....

Well... as always, a week later, having fitted them, I found a full SS setup.

So, if you would like some nicely cleaned / refurbished items back I am sure we can come to some arrangement. ;)

They are still on the engine, but weather permitting and assuming the SS items fit, should be off in the next few days.

To answer your question, I think popular opinion is 30 seconds absolute max with no water cooling (oil cooling doesn't really matter as loads of V8's don't have this anyway). Without any exhaust, the chance of hearing any top end noise or other untoward squeeks are zero plus, I think your prospective purchaser will be more concerned about 'cleaning themselves up!'

Also, if going on fleabay, people just don't seem to bother looking anyway.

Fatboy - I thought I was the only one who ran around the place like a man posessed repeating rapidly 'oh my god, tee hee, oh my god, tee hee' :wacko:

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I ran a Norton Commando with no pipes at all - surprisingly not too noisy... Flames were great!

Then ran it with just the headers... OK

Then ran it with reverse-cone-meggas (remember them?) and blew the head of Mum's roses at three yards! :o It was louder than with nothing :)

As for the V8 - I think that fire is a small worry as long as you don't spill any fuel, but make sure that either it's bolted down well - or that you don't get over enthusiastic with blipping the throttle :lol:Or... set up a vijo camera to get the whole thing with a wide enough zoom to catch it spinning sideways through the shed wall ;)

But seriously... If you do it, video it pretty-please :D

TS

Can just imagine that :rolleyes::lol::lol::lol:

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Just watched "The World's Fastest Indian" and now all this engine porn - I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight :) . Makes me glad I've got a V8

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

TS

p.s. and one day it will run... <WaynesWorld>Oh yes - it will run!</WaynesWorld>

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When you run up an outboard on land there is a clever thing called an earmuff. It looks a bit like rubber earmuffs hence the name. Anyway, it goes on the end of a garden hose and fits over the cooling impeller grilles. So when you run the engine it still sucks up some water and circulates it about. You could do the same thing really easily with a garden hose in the top of the engine and a rag in the end of the lower hose to slow throughput. It wouldnt be massively efficient but would make a difference, especially with that ally/cast iron mix in that block...

yer i suppose but a v8 dont have a rubber impellor pump running in either a plastic or s/s pump body to rip itself to shreads unlike a o/b or sterndrive

dan

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