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Hot Rods Starting freshly built engine without water in block ?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by blazedogs, Jan 21, 2018.

  1. blazedogs
    Joined: Sep 22, 2014
    Posts: 535

    blazedogs
    Member

    Before starting a new engine there are things to do prior to starting it ,prime it to circulate the oil etc. A new engine will absolutely have no water or antifreeze in it.The water jackets will be dry ! If a thermostat is installed it will not completely be open till the block reaches operating temp in most cases 180 degrees.Should the engine be first started with the radiator installed with water, by running the engine( without any thermostat) ?? Gene
     
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  2. lonejacklarry
    Joined: Sep 11, 2013
    Posts: 1,498

    lonejacklarry
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I was taught to add the coolant to the radiator and let it gurgle into the engine with no thermostat. If you raise the front of the vehicle it will help with burping the system. Reinstall the thermostat with an 1/8 hole in the flap. With this system there will be plenty of coolant in the system for the start up.

    I always use water instead of antifreeze initially . For some reason I always have some sort of coolant leak and water is a lot easier to clean up than antifreeze. After the cam break in I change the oil, filter, and change the coolant from water to 50-50 antifreeze.

    Your mileage may vary.
     
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  3. Torana68
    Joined: Jan 28, 2008
    Posts: 1,415

    Torana68
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Australia

    Yes to water, thermostat yes also, you want it up to operating temp sooner rather than later, drill a small hole in the thermostat to help get air out if thats a issue.
     
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  4. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,934

    squirrel
    Member

    If there's a really good reason to start an engine without coolant, I'll do it..but usually I fill it up. Water is probably a good idea if it might have leaks, but not a good idea if it will freeze up and crack because you live in Minnesota.
     

  5. manyolcars
    Joined: Mar 30, 2001
    Posts: 9,176

    manyolcars

    I start up without water to make sure it will run, then add water to check for leaks, then add antifreeze
     
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  6. Ouch.
    If you dont have water in the water jackets, you will have some severe hotspots in a matter of seconds, with no way to spread out the heat.
    WARP, SCRAPE, CRAAACK.
    Never do that to a fresh engine that hasn't seated-in the parts or broken-in yet.
    Iron-warping hotspots are damaging enough in a loose worn engine.
    p.s. the thermostat will not get the temperature info without water flowing by to tell it the message.
    YES, there IS some water flowing with the therm closed.

    WHY BE ORDINARY ?
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2018
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  7. manyolcars
    Joined: Mar 30, 2001
    Posts: 9,176

    manyolcars

    When I say I start it and let it run. I am talking about 60 seconds! Its not going to hurt anything
     
  8. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    Just can't cut us frozen guy's a break can you!:p
     
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  9. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,934

    squirrel
    Member

    going to be 24 in the morning here....
     
  10. F.O.G
    Joined: Oct 31, 2006
    Posts: 259

    F.O.G
    Member
    from Pacific,Mo

    I always fill radiator with water and no thermostat until water comes up to level of thermostat THEN
    install thermostat so it will open, no air lock. I never put anti freeze in until inital break in is completed,
    had bad leak into oil once and wiped out new engine. My error.
     
  11. Truck64
    Joined: Oct 18, 2015
    Posts: 5,325

    Truck64
    Member
    from Ioway

    A surprising number of people don't run either antifreeze or a thermostat, thinking they don't need that stuff where they live. The last several weeks have been kinda rough on 'em.
     
  12. Black Panther
    Joined: Jan 6, 2010
    Posts: 2,133

    Black Panther
    Member
    from SoCal

    You have to let it run for more than 60 seconds if you're breaking in a cam. If you are...itll have to run at least 20 minutes...drill a hole in the thermostat...or be ready to add water when the thermostat opens and the water level drops..
     
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  13. buffaloracer
    Joined: Aug 22, 2004
    Posts: 816

    buffaloracer
    Member
    from kansas

    When I start a new engine I want water in the whole engine. I don't plan to turn it off until the camshaft is broke in. I often but not always leave the thermostat out.
    Pete
     
  14. doug warren
    Joined: Apr 3, 2017
    Posts: 37

    doug warren

     
  15. doug warren
    Joined: Apr 3, 2017
    Posts: 37

    doug warren

    On a new engine I may crank it over to see if she pops and dist is in right and thats about it. hard on the water pump also running it dry, from how I was taught. And get a quick glance at the oil pressure. That would be about it.
     
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  16. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 3,883

    rusty valley
    Member

    years ago when we had real junk yards, most would start an engine laying on the floor to show you "its a goodun" no harm done
     
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  17. bchctybob
    Joined: Sep 18, 2011
    Posts: 5,190

    bchctybob
    Member

    I usually have everything ready to run for the cam break- in. Thermostat included. I try to fill it with plain water and let it sit for a while, look for leaks, then check the oil to be sure no water is leaking internally.
    I have started them dry (with no fan belts) to be sure it will start and I haven't missed on the timing, but only for a few seconds.


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
  18. OLDSMAN
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 2,422

    OLDSMAN
    BANNED

    A new engine at any engine for that matter should never be run without coolant . If you have an air lock take the heater hose off the intake manifold and fill it until coolant comes out. Put the hose on and finish filling he system.
     
  19. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,934

    squirrel
    Member

    What about a race engine that doesn't have any water jackets?
     
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  20. Just sprat the outside with a hose while it’s running....


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  21. Yeah, but aren't they designed for that? No more than a couple of minutes or so before the race is over.
     
  22. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,934

    squirrel
    Member

    yup. The point is, you can safely start an engine without coolant. How long you can safely run it...that depends.
     
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  23. I am not as scientific as everyone else. I fill the radiator with water on a fresh engine and light it off. I leave the cap off and have a hose handy, I run it until the cam breaks in then I slow it down let it cool a bit an shut it off. It works for me.

    If I had a fresh engine and needed to break the cam in ( as in flat tappet cam) I would make sure tht there was water in it, I have had to shut them down during break in before but prefer the break the came in all in one jump.
     
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  24. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 12,602

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    If the title was "How do I add coolant & remove air" the replies would be more to the point?
     
  25. Blues4U
    Joined: Oct 1, 2015
    Posts: 7,589

    Blues4U
    Member
    from So Cal

    The difference being the OP asked about a new, or freshly built engine, and you're talking about a used engine in a wrecking yard. A freshly built engine may have a new cam/lifters that need to be broken in.
     
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  26. nochop
    Joined: Nov 13, 2005
    Posts: 3,818

    nochop
    Member
    from norcal

    Make sense to me
     
  27. 327Eric
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,116

    327Eric
    Member

    After all the effort and expense of a rebuild, why leave anythimg to chance
     
  28. Hey Gene don't make me come up there. Hey Jim (@squirrel ) pick me up lets go break Gene's motor in for him. It'll be fun. :D :D :D
     
  29. I want that new engine to be able to run for a solid 1/2 hour as a minimum. Pre-oil the crap out of it, get the distributor in the ball park (at least dropped in right...), 50-50 coolant and a thermostat. Have a couple of guys around that can think fast... then I light it off. The last was my 355 Chevy and it went off without a single hitch.
     
  30. LOL when we lit my 355 off the first time it was with open headers and split a combustion chamber ( never had that happen before). We jammed a hose down the radiator and let it blow water out the header until the cam was broke in, pulled the heads while it was still hot and started drying it out. That was 21 years ago this year.

    Shit happens and the best thing is to just be ready for it. Sometimes you pull it off without a hitch and others you just have to improvise.
     

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