My engine has been built for several months now. I've been dying to try to test fire it. I have no exhaust manifolds. Will it suck a valve or do other damage if I start it without them? I have a set of Chevy headers I'm thinking of modifying to bolt to it just for test fire purposes, but I'd rather not do that unless I have to.
No, it won't do anything to the engine. Your ears however ...
I'd advise waiting until you have some manifolds and exhaust on so you can listen to the engine for odd noises during the cam break-in. It makes it a lot nicer when you aren't breathing exhaust fumes while you're checking around the engine for water and oil leaks too!
ok, header modification it is. Here's my thoughts on that: If I take a piece of 1/4" steel & trace the exhaust gaskets on it to get the pattern for the holes & the general shape to cut the steel & weld it to the headers....should work???
I would NOT crank the new engine without manifolds installed. Think of all the raw heat that will be blown directly into the engine area. Your spark wires would probably melt, amongst other things.
You would be VERY MAD at yourself for doing this.
'68 428 HO M3 Monster, 4-on-the-floor! Need I say more?
you CAN edit/delete...lol repeat after me, You CAN edit/delete...
I know Bjorn, just having a little laugh at myself. The line "I repeat myself when under stress" is from the tune Indiscipline. It's a track on the album Discipline by King Crimson.