Hello, i just installed the engine/trans after rebuilding and want to test it before going on the road. Has anyone ever run a car in gear on jack stands ? i don't have posi, just limited slip. can i put it in gear and run it through 1,2,3 gears on jack stands ? i was going to make sure the car is level so it doesn't get starved of oil/fuel. thanks.
I would be sure it was pointed at the street. It would not make a good dining room table, and certainly not do a whole lot for a pool table in the basement.
I have only done it once to troubleshoot a bent axle shaft. If you do it, I would be very careful. It is extremely dangerous so make sure there aren't any kids/pets/people around. Also I would not go very high up in RPM because you are asking for something to go wrong. Prepare for the worse, like the car coming off.
I do it all the time on the race car, chock the front wheels fore and aft, both sides, don't get the rear to high.
Biggest thing is like was said, be safe, don't quick rev it, going through the gears is fine, just do it slowly. I've let mine run for 20 minutes forward and reverse to run in a new rear gear.
I don't recommend doing it with all 4 wheels off the ground though.
Wanting a Custom fit in an off the rack world.
I don't have time for a job, I just need the money.
I've done it before..and with all 4 wheels off the ground.
I'd do it outside, pointed away from the garage. When I did mine I had double the front and double the rear stands underneath (8 stands used total). Even with that, I didnt do it for long and rpms were low. But it allowed me to lightly go through gears as I was having linkage/trans issues.
I've only idled it in gear (no additional throttle).
I also chocked the front wheels, left the jack in place under the pumpkin in addition to the jackstands, and placed an extra set of wheels/tires under the body.
For me, I pointed it to the back of the garage, rather than risk having it shoot out towards the street possibly injuring someone else.
I would never run it through the gears with any load, as the vibration from the drivetrain, as well as momentary shocks shifting gears, could cause it to fall off the jackstands.
i just want to see how fast i can get the speedometer up to without wind drag, in my garage. just joking, want to see if the transmission shifts, it didn't when i bought it and i rebuilt it. thanks for the good responses, i will just idle it through gears carefully on stands (it isn't road worthy yet, i.e. no gas tank, no windshield). i suppose i could have my passenger hold onto a 5gal can of gas with sunglasses on but this seems like an easier solution....thanks
[quote=ho428]I do it all the time on the race car, chock the front wheels fore and aft, both sides, don't get the rear to high.
. I've let mine run for 20 minutes forward and reverse to run in a new rear gear.
This will not break in new gears properly...just so you know. You need the weight of the vehicle to create the heat you need for breaking gears in. This heat and the cooling effect in the oil is what rockwells the gear set properly. To break in drag race gears IF the car is track only... take it down the strip 2 -3 times... first one soft hit and run it to the end (1/4 or 1/8). let it fully cool. 2nd run, little harder on the line run it down the track again ...let fully cool you should be good to go. If you can cut the trans brake do so if you have to use the trans have it hit at a lower rpm. Jim
As long as you are using 6 TOn and up jack stands you should not have a problem with running the car through the gears. Nothing over 40mph. If all your checking is the trans and engine going through the gears you can do that at any low speed.
I think you need more confidence in your work. TAke it for a drive! I say...BE A MAN and run it.(well unless I am answering a woman...sorry...lol.) I have pushed many cars in my day ... Good luck what ever you choose. Jim
i can't wait to drive it !!! i just have a few problems with that, #1 i don't have a license (but that won't stop me) #2 no registration or plate (that won't stop me) and #3 i just need a gas tank and lines and brake lines. i could have my passenger hold a 5 gallon gas can but without the brakes, it may be difficult to drive it down the street and stop.. for me all of that is atleast 4-6 weeks away (and i just discovered i have a leak in my 25 year old radiator so its' time to buy a new one of those), but $125 for gas tank, $40 for sending unit, $50 for gas line, $50 for rear brake lines, $150 min for radiator..... oh yeah, and no windshield but we'll just put our sunglasses on... does that sound redneckish enough for all of you ??!!?!??
Last edited by 69birdinamillionpieces; 10/04/1012:01 PM.
Almost took mine down the road and back yesterday. No front end except head lamps. No doors. No outer qtrs. No deck lid. No tail lamps(easy fix). To much traffic anymore. Miss the days could go to US30 Dragstrip(5 min's away) and do a test run.
Years ago when I took my car to my buddy's place to get the quarters done all I had was a front seat, wheels and engine. Had to wear ski goggles because I did not have any glass. I had my buddy tow me out of town with the engine running (no muffler). We took the tow rope off and I let her rip. Did not anticipate that much noise and smoking tires. I laid a strip for 50' before I took my foot off the gas. I could not see I thing thru the smoke nor could I hear anything! The same spot is a 6 lane highway now.
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
Road race, so I really don't have the opportunity to heat cycle them on track so I run them on stands with tires and rims on until the diff feels hot in 2nd gear, let cool and run them until hot in reverse to lap them in, do this a couple of times to hit both sides of the gear a couple of times. May not be the perfect way for break in but it mimicks somewhat the pull side-slack side they see road racing.
BTW, the 3.55 works great with the new M-21, perfect for the tracks I run with a Pontiac RPM range.
Wanting a Custom fit in an off the rack world.
I don't have time for a job, I just need the money.
